On October 31, 2020, Ronald Lynn Wright, 66, passed away at home surrounded by his family. He had fought cancer for seven years with a strong faith and family support. Ron was born to Eunice May Blackwell Wright and Aubrey Lynn Wright in Mena, Arkansas, on May 7, 1954.

Ron lived in Arkansas all of his life. In early 1955, his family moved from Gillham to Hot Springs where he attended the public schools and graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1972. His work took him from his hometown to Bryant, Mena, Glenwood, Bismarck, Prescott, Farmington, and back home to Bismarck.

Ron’s big, outgoing personality and his steadfast character served him well in his life’s work. He served as youth and music minister at Centerfork Baptist Church in Hot Springs and Springhill Baptist Church in Bryant, and as music director at Ten Mile Baptist, Farmington First Baptist, and Bismarck First Baptist. Pairing well with this work was his career in education.

Over a period of 35 years, Ron was a social studies teacher at Bryant High School and at Glenwood High School, assistant principal at Mena High School, principal at Bismarck High School, field service representative with the State Department of Education, superintendent of the Prescott Public Schools and the Farmington Public Schools, and Director of the Dawson Education Cooperative in Arkadelphia.

A dedicated and effective leader, he was loved and respected by his staffs, faculties, and coworkers. Ron enjoyed and valued each community where he lived and worked, becoming active in local organizations, churches, and civic projects. And he had fun and brought fun to each endeavor. His roles as Elvis, a Blues Brother, Johnny Appleseed, Santa, and Father Time come to mind. He loved to read to children and he cooked many kettles of Stone Soup.

Ron loved the outdoors: hunting and fishing with his sons, four-wheeling with his wife, and hiking with his family. He loved old cars and trucks, restoring his 1968 red Camaro convertible and a 1955 Chevy truck. His favorite hangout was his shop, Pops’ Garage, especially enjoyed by his sons and grandsons. A real music lover, Ron spent years leading church choirs. He sang specials at churches across Arkansas, a part of a men’s quartet in Bismarck and a trio in Mena. His favorite partner to harmonize with was his daughter. He left a collection of hundreds of Classic Rock, Folk, and Motown vinyl albums for his family’s appreciation. He also collected Native American artifacts and knives, and he loved history and travel. In his last four years, he was able to enjoy family trips to Yellowstone, Miami to Key West, and St. Louis. He and his wife took long-anticipated trips to New England and Ireland. Friends, family, and neighbors knew Ron to have a servant’s heart and to exhibit his generous spirit and the love of God through his quiet acts of kindness. He was an open-hearted, open-minded, non- judgmental Jesus follower. He spent decades of his life ministering to and leading youth. He truly enjoyed teaching and spending time with kids of all ages and was known to engage with them on a very genuine level. Especially meaningful to him in the last few years, was teaching Anger Management, Getting Ahead, and Parenting with Love and Logic through the ministries of the Garage Church.

Ron was predeceased by his father, Aubrey Lynn Wright, in 1983. He is survived by his mother Eunice Verrett, sister Brenda Wright, and niece Sarah Teague, all of Hot Springs. Also treasuring his memory are his in-laws Jean and Leon Thornton of Bismarck, sisters-in-law Peggy Scrivner (Paul) and Melanie Prater (Russell), brother-in-law Brian Thornton (Michelle), many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ron was blessed with a very close, loving family. Surviving him are his wife of almost 45 years, Connie Thornton Wright of Bismarck; daughter Rachel Wright-Dobbs (Bryan) of Pawleys Island, SC; son Nathan Wright (Rechelle) of Little Rock; and son Jesse Wright (Jessie) of Bismarck. Also surviving Ron are eight grandchildren, ranging from age 22 to age 2: Carter Wright, Haylee Dobbs, Faith Dobbs, Emma Inscore, Tyler Dobbs, Aubrey Wright, Archie Wright, and Ronald Jesse (RJ) Wright. The newest loved one is great-grandchild, Oslo Inscore-Poole.

There will be an informal service to celebrate Ron’s life at the Bismarck High School football stadium at 2:00, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020.

Please follow COVID-19 precautions in regard for family and friends in attendance. Flowers may be sent to Ruggles-Wilcox in Arkadelphia.

Memorials may be made by donating to the CARTI Cancer Center in Little Rock or the Garage Church in Hot Springs.

Arrangements by Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home, 517 Clay ST, Arkadelphia, AR 71923, 870-246-4551.