Roger D. Wright

Roger Dean Wright, age 59, of Baldwin City, KS, formally of Paola, KS passed away from complications of a heart attack at St. Luke’s Heart Institute on January 14, 2020. He was born February 9, 1960, in Kansas City, MO to Wendell Wright and Cheryl Wright. On November 8, 1980, Roger married his soulmate, Glenda Sue Hicks Wright in Lawrence, Kansas. They were married for 39 years. They moved to Paola in 1985 and lived there for 33 years before moving to Baldwin City recently. Together they had three children, Kristine, Kassandra, and Taylor. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, Auggie and Rosie. He attended Paola High School, Washburn University and Johnson County Community College. Roger loved to stay busy. He and his wife owned and operated Wrights Appliance and later Riteway HVAC. His work was his passion, second only to his family. He was a former member of Pipefitters Local 533. He worked as a technician at Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant before starting his own business. He always said he couldn’t punch a time clock. He had to know why something was wrong, not just fix it, and he knew how to fix anything. He was incredibly hardworking, loyal, honest, funny, and generous. He was known in the community for always being there when someone needed help. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, canoeing, and camping with his family until his health prevented it. Roger loved music. He studied music at Washburn University. He played guitar and loved listening to all kinds of music. He also enjoyed calling numbers for Eagles Bingo on Monday nights. He and his wife were active at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Baldwin. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Kassandra Lee Wright, and his father, Wendell Wright. He is survived by his wife, Glenda Sue Hicks Wright, of Baldwin City, KS, daughter Kristine Herron (Adam), grandchildren, Auggie and Rosie, all of Shanghai, China, and son, Taylor Wright of Wichita, Kansas. He also leaves behind his mother and step-father Cheryl (Gail) McGhee two sisters, Terri Dalrymple (Randy), Wendy Cherry (Steve), and a brother, Randy Wright (Wilma), as well as several step brothers and step sisters, family members, and friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Roger Wright Memorial Fund can be sent in care of Dengel & Son Mortuary-Crematory, 305 N. Pearl St., Paola, KS, 66071.