Jackie D. Wright

Jackie D. Wright "Rabbit", 88, passed away on Friday, May 1, 2020. Born on December 26, 1931 in Helena, TN. He was the son of the late Fred and Bonnie Wright. His family moved to New Castle, IN during the depression and this is where he grew up. He graduated from New Castle Chrysler H.S. in 1950. He was a Star Basketball player for the Trojans during the golden age of Indiana basketball. He was inducted into the New Castle Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001. Jack was a nationally recognized basketball recruit. He received scholarship offers to play all over the country. Considering his Indiana roots, where he would play collegiate basketball was never in question. He received a scholarship from legendary Coach Branch McCracken and later won a National Championship with the Hoosiers in 1953. After joining the Army in 1954, he continued playing and sharing his love of basketball for the next 4 decades. He met his wife Velma, in Cincinnati, OH after the Army. They were married in 1957 and had two Girls, Jackie and Leslie. He was offered an opportunity to play professional basketball, but the salary wasn't enough to support a family. He began work at Pitney-Bowes in Lexington, KY as a salesman, and later was promoted to District Manager of the Fort Wayne branch. After building the Fort Wayne location into the leading Pitney-Bowes branch in the country, he left to begin his career as an entrepreneur. In 1972, Jack opened Automatic Billing Corporation. This was the foundation for many future businesses. His crowning glory was Wright-Moore Corporation. This company encompassed Executive Print Copiers and Wright-Image to name a few. While operating these companies he was always ready to start a new project. He was responsible for the All American Workout videos in the late 80's, featuring Steve Alford demonstrating workouts to be a better basketball player. He sponsored "The Great Indiana Shootout;" which, attracted basketball players from Indiana to compete for a $10,000 purse. He accepted an invitation to play in The World Series of Poker in the mid 70's. The creator of the IU pictures featuring all 5 IU Championship basketball teams. His energy and drive was also evident in his family life. He loved his family immensely. He was a member of Waynedale Baptist Church. In 1997, Jack and his wife Velma established the Jackie D. and Velma Wright Scholarship at Indiana Tech. His surviving family include his daughters, Jackie (Layne) Christlieb and Leslie (Richard) Miller; grandchildren, Shawn (Emily) Sharin, Samantha (Carl) Doerfler, Nickolas (Tiffany) Sharin, Amanda (Shawn) Baney, Luke (LaTrisha) Sharin, Joseph (Lindsay) Miller, and Jacob (Whitney) Sharin; 22 great-grandchildren; sister, Virginia Mills; brother, Bobbie Wright; a very special Lady friend, Brenda Harris-Gouckenour; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles. Also preceding him in death was his wife, Velma (Moore); brothers, James and Tom Wright; sister, Patty Ann Duffey; and great-grandson Henry. A private graveside service will be held at Prairie Grove Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held from 11:00am-1:00pm on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes- Foster Park 6301 Fairfield Avenue Fort Wayne, Indiana 46807 Memorial contributions can be made to the March of Dimes, Waynedale Baptist Church, or the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation. Condolences may be left online at www.mccombandsons.com