John Richard Wright Jr.

Rick Wright, (John Richard Wright, Jr.) age 65 of Little Rock passed away Saturday March 17, 2018. Born in El Dorado, Arkansas to John R. Wright, Sr (deceased)and JoEllen Tims Wright (deceased). Rick is survived by his wife of 43 years, Deborah Colbert Wright and his children Trey Wright of Charlotte, N.C. and Taylor Wright (Thomas Jucha) of Little Rock. Granddaughter River Jayne will be joining us soon. His sunshine was his granddaughter Reilynn Kathleen age 6. No brighter star shined in his eyes than Reilynn. She adored her Pop as much as he adored her. He is also survived by his brother, Tim Wright (Janelle) of Phoenix, Ariz. Rick was loved by many from all decades of his life. Rick had friends from his elementary and high school days in El Dorado whom he treasured. He had friends from his days at University of Arkansas as a Sigma Nu. He had friends from his early days of playing competitive softball, referreing HS Basketball, and coaching his son for years first at Penick Boys Club in basketball and then at Junior Deputy Baseball. Coach Rick also had friends from his recent years coaching RBI baseball at Lamar Porter Field. He had friends from his daughters Indian Princess days, all of whom lived to tell the shark story. He made friends as a member of the Athletic Club, and never let us forget his 3 point shot over Corliss. As a businessman Rick spent many years in the textiles industry. He loved his travels to NYC, China, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, India and other countries as part of his work. He was forced to retire very early as he began a 10 year battle with debilitating heart failure and arrhythmias. Over the years of this battle Rick always fought. In 2015 he accepted a referral to an experimental treatment at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. As a result of of his participation in that study, he became the fifth person in the world to receive the experimental treatment. Rick was truly happy that this research could positively affect generations of people to come. He was humbled that he made a mark in medical history. An article was printed in the NewYorkTimes in December 2017 mentioning Rick and this research treatment. Recently he chose to seek further treatment having the LVAD heart pump implanted. He is lovingly referred to as "GI Joe in the trenches". A man of faith, Rick was an active member of St. Andrews Anglican Church. In the early days of the church he loved his work on the missions team and ushering. The depth of relationships he formed there is reflected today on a daily basis. Special acknowledgement is made to Dr. James Kane, Dr. Scott Beau, Dr. John Ransom, and Dr. Philip Cuclich and a special thanks to nurses and techs at Baptist CVICU. A celebration of Rick's life will be held Saturday March 24, 2018 at 10:30 am at St. Andrews Anglican Church, 8300 Kanis Road, Little Rock. Cremation services provided by Cremation Services of Arkansas. "I fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."