Gary Byron Wright

Gary Wright, 79, of Dunlap, passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at home. Gary was born March 9, 1946, in Chicago, to Val and Lenore (Fisher) Wright. He married Martha Myers on October 7, 1972, in Quincy, Illinois. She survives.

Also surviving are Gary and Martha's children, Heather (Mark) Briganti of Charlotte, NC, Brian Wright of San Diego, CA; grandson, Mason Briganti of Charlotte, NC; sister, Linda Sanii of Broken Arrow, OK; niece, Dr. Laurie (Rob) Sanii of Decatur, GA; and nephew, Michael Sanii of Broken Arrow, OK. He was preceded in death by parents; and brother, Gordon.

Gary was a 1964 graduate of Libertyville High School in Libertyville, Illinois. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1968, from Culver-Stockton College in Missouri, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. His college life also included playing rhythm guitar in “The Trolls”, a rock band that performed gigs on and off campus.

His 40-year career was concentrated on writing, advertising and communications management. He was an advertising copywriter at Maxwell Sroge marketing agency in Chicago, a broadcast copywriter at KHQA TV/WTAD Radio in Quincy, and a marketing communications specialist at Harris Corporation, Broadcast Products Division, also in Quincy. He served RLI Insurance Company in Peoria as advertising director and manager of corporate communications for 21 years, retiring in 2007. His communications team garnered several industry awards for excellence in advertising, marketing materials and annual reports.

Gary was also a freelance writer, with published articles focused mainly on aviation and boating topics, as well as a weekly column, profiling Quincy business leaders. He was appointed to the board of directors of Insurance Marketing Communications Association (IMCA) and Family House (hospital hospitality home) of Peoria. In retirement, he relished enduring love, companionship and travel adventures with Martha, his wife of 53 years, and cherished the affection and achievements of his children, grandson, siblings, and extended family. He was an avid reader and lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. He enjoyed keeping the feeders filled for the variety of birds that visited his home. He was also a “fighter” for several years at Rock Steady Boxing in Peoria, an exercise program designed to counter and slow the progress of Parkinson’s Disease. He bravely battled the challenges of Parkinson’s for 14 years.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. Cremation rites have been accorded, with private interment at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria. Donations in his memory can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. To leave condolences, please visit www.woolsey-wilton.com