John W. Wright

John W. Wright, age 65, of Lake Orion, Michigan, passed away Friday, November 30, 2012. Born on October 21, 1947 in Washington, PA, he is the son of the late John M. and Dorothy (Bennett) Wright. Loving husband of 36 years to Judy; dear father of Andrew (Katie), Kelly (Adam), Casey (Brian), and Emily (Josh); brother of Gary (Patty) Wright and Linda Wright Craft; and son-in-law of Jean Montgomery.
After graduating from Washington High School in 1966, John voluntarily enlisted for the US Army serving from 1968-1969 as an air traffic controller in Pleiku, E5 Sergeant First Class. He was the proud recipient of many awards, most notably the Bronze Star; a medal only given for bravery and valor in combat. He was in the reserves until 1972. Honorably discharged, he returned to PA attending Community College of Beaver County, completing flight school and working as a flight instructor. He designed and oversaw construction of the educational air traffic control tower, the first of its kind in the country. During this time, he met the love of his life, Judy. The couple was married in 1976.

John became a career pilot certified in over a dozen corporate aircraft for piloting over 40 years before retiring in Michigan. He and his wife were recently honored as “Michigan Foster Parents of the Year,” having provided 54 foster babies a loving home since 2001, many of whom were medically fragile, abused, or neglected. John’s family will remember him for his strong faith in God, constant support of his family, and unwavering sense of humor, even through his struggle with aggressive lung cancer in the last few months of his life. Funeral services were held in Michigan last week.

The family will be receiving guests in John’s hometown at Cremation & Funeral Care by Danielle Andy Belusko, 3287 Washington Rd., McMurray, PA 15317, (724)260-5546 on Monday, December 10, 2012 from 9:30 – 10:30 AM, followed by Inurnment with full military honors at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies at 11am. Please view and sign the family’s online guestbook at www.cremationfuneralcare.com. Memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to Ennis Center for Children, the foster agency the Wright served: 129 E. 3rd St., Flint, MI 48502.