Webster Griffith Wright

Date of birth: May 3, 1930 in Ogdensburg, NY

Date of death: December 25, 2020 in Raleigh, NC

Webster was an only child of Margaret and Ralph Creighton Wright and an only grandson of Webster Griffith. Web grew up in Ogdensburg, NY situated on the St. Lawrence Seaway, where he learned to fish, swim, row, and play golf.

Web attended Lawrenceville Prep School in New Jersey then went on to graduate from Princeton University, New Jersey in the class of 1952. Web rowed varsity crew while at Princeton. In 1952, during the Olympic trials, Princeton lost by inches to Navy to represent the USA in the 52’ Olympics. After graduation, Web was then drafted into the Army during the The Korean Conflict and served two years.

“Young Man go West!” --so he did! Attending one year at the University of Colorado, in Boulder, Colorado for a teaching credential, Web met Jewel his wife in the back row of an education class. The class was so boring that the two kindled a friendship and it was love at first sight! Web swept Jewel off her feet by driving her around campus in his convertible, stopping to have a burger at the local hangout called “The Sink”. Jewel taught Web how to ski and the two spent many occasions skiing in the Colorado Rockies.

Web proposed to Jewel and the two were married in Glenwood Springs, Colorado on a snowy, wintery day on December 20, 1955. Web and Jewel recently celebrated 65 years together a few weeks ago.

After marrying, Web and Jewel moved to NY where Web got a job teaching Biology in Croton on Hudson. Web then completed his Masters from Columbia University in 1957. He and Jewel lived in many places throughout their lives together. The Holy Spirit directed and guided them to many different opportunities to various locations around the world. They had four children, Brian, Tom, Greg, and Anne. They never intended to live abroad but they were willing to follow the Lord’s leading for their lives.

Web and Jewel lived in Bakersfield, CA, San Francisco, CA, and Walla Walla, WA where Web worked in Education. In 1968, he moved the family to Manila, Philippians where he worked for the American School for two years. The family then relocated to Longmont, Colorado where they raised their children from 1970-1989. Web worked as a guidance counselor in the public schools. Web and Jewel retired to Tucson, AZ where he enjoyed singing in the church choir and playing golf. In 1991, they felt the Lord’s leading to volunteer as missionaries at the Rift Valley Academy in Kijabe, Kenya, Africa. Rift Valley Academy is a boarding school that serves to provide education for the children of missionaries serving in Africa. Web greatly enjoyed his time there and developed a great love for the animals in the bush and golf courses! In 2009, Web and Jewel decided to relocate again and moved to Cary, NC where they could be closer to their daughter Anne and her family.

Web and Jewel are blessed with three wonderful daughters-in-law, Rebecca (Brian), Kim (Tom), and Alisa (Greg); our son-in-law Michael (Anne); seven grandchildren, Gregory, Ali, Nick, Caroline, Jenna, Greg, and Alizae; and four great grandchildren; Cruzer, Nixon, Addison, Kianna, and one on the way!

Web had an amazing sense of humor and loved to laugh. He always put his family before himself and truly was an amazing husband and father. He had a deep love and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and took every opportunity to share with others the Good News. We are going to miss him terribly but we look forward to the day we can all be together in Heaven for eternity! We will miss you Web (Dad).

Ephesians 2:8-10

For by Grace, you have been saved by faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not the result of works, so that no man may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Grace Fellowship International, PO Box 368, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868