Frank Joseph “Big Joe” Wright III

Joe was born September 8, 1945 in Spartanburg, SC and raised in Greensboro, NC. After graduating from high school, and a brief career officiating minor league hockey, Joe enrolled in mortuary science school in Cincinnati, OH.

While driving a hearse by day, and an ambulance by night, Joe met his future wife, Dwanda Glover, an admissions clerk at The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro. After they were married, Joe enlisted in the North Carolina Army National Guard in 1967 and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant until he was Honorably Discharged in 1972.

Shortly after, Joe began a life-long career in sales. Throughout his life, Joe sold everything from Oldsmobile’s to custom vans, computers to life insurance. He often said nothing could turn a bad day into a great day like making in-person cold calls.

In 1978, after living in Atlanta, GA and then Chicago, IL, Joe, and his family were relocated to Spring, Texas where he lived the remainder of his life. Joe never met a stranger. His larger-than-life personality was only matched by his 6’7” stature. He loved his family and friends, going to Spring High School sporting events, serving as an elected official on his local water board, and the church where he was a founding member and lay leader, Cypress Trails United Methodist.

Joe is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dwanda Glover Wright of Spring, TX, his sister Beth Wright of Appomattox, VA, Joey & Kimberly Wright of Klein, TX, Jon & Melanie Wright of Spring, TX, and 8 grandchildren whom he loved with all his heart. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank J. Wright II and Elizabeth Owens Wright.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to Spring Community Church (formerly Cypress Trails United Methodist Church). You may also honor Joe’s memory by going to your local high school and watching a football, basketball, or baseball game. You could also enjoy a night of car racing at your local dirt track or better yet, going to a NASCAR race. Go to a hockey game. Lastly, serve God and give back to your community by volunteering at your church.

A service of remembrance to celebrate his life will be scheduled at a later date.