Richard Rick C Wright

Richard Cope Wright, 60 of Scottsdale, AZ passed away on March 25, 2011. Rick was born in Rochester, NY to Richard and Lois Wright on May 29th, 1950. He was raised in San Jose, CA and graduated from Blackford High School. After high school, Rick left San Jose for Albuquerque, NM to pursue a degree at the University of New Mexico. Rick played basketball for the UNM Lobos during his four years as an undergraduate. After he graduated, he went on to study for another year and also held the position of assistant coach for the Lobo's basketball team. Rick had studied at UNM through a Naval scholarship, so after one year of graduate school, Rick went into the navy as a special services officer, then served four years before being honorably discharged in 1977.

After the Navy Rick returned to Albuquerque and opened Supreme Courts Racquetball Club, as the new manager. It was there where he met Roberta, his open mixed doubles partner, who together went on to win the New Mexico State Racquetball Championship in 1979. One year later Rick and Roberta married. Rick and Roberta began to build their Amway business while Rick also pursued his career in Transworld Systems Incorporated as a sales representative. This is where he continued his successful career for over 22 years. They were blessed with their firstborn daughter Amber, in 1981. Then they were blessed with their second daughter Angel, in 1984.

Rick was a true competitor in life and participated in many sports. He enjoyed and excelled in every sport, from ping pong and darts to tennis and golf. He won almost every competition he participated in. Rick was also very knowledgeable in sports statistics, memorabilia, and trivia. Trivia was one of Rick's favorite games and was always quizzing his daughters on sports trivia for as long as they can remember.

Rick's family was very important to him, and he always included his children in every date, dinner, and even some business trips he went on. As Amber and Angel grew they also enjoyed many sports and began families of their own. Amber attended PLNU in San Diego, CA, where she met and married Brandon Camacho. They now have three daughters: Taylor born in 2003, Riley in 2005, and Evan in 2010. Angel attended college at ASU, where she met her boyfriend Crispin. She gave birth to a baby girl, Ryen at the end of 2010. Luckily, Rick raised athletic daughters because being such a sports enthusiast, he was still waiting for a grandson...

Rick was also a born again Christian who truly believed and was proud of his faith in Jesus Christ. Rick knew that the day would come where he would be welcomed at the gates of heaven by Jesus, his parents, and his three brothers. Other than battling diabetes, Rick was in good health. While in South Carolina enjoying a golf outing, which he had earned through his dedication and success with TSI, Rick passed away suddenly, surrounded by his TSI colleagues and friends. He will be truly missed and his loss is great to everyone he knew and loved.

Rick is survived by his two daughters: Amber (Brandon) Camacho and Angel Wright (Crispin Espinoza), Amber and Angel's mother, Roberta Wright, granddaughters: Taylor, Riley, Evan, and Ryen; his sisters-in-law: Teeny, Lesli, and Judy, and five nieces and nephews, who he loved dearly: Derek, Kelly, Courtney, Casey, and Kristina. Rick is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Lois Wright, and his three brothers: Doug, Ron, and Gary Wright.

A visitation will be held at Carr-Tenney Mortuary in Tempe, AZ on Friday April 8th, 2011 beginning at 11:00am. A funeral service will follow at Carr Tenney beginning beginning at 12:00pm. Interment will be held at 2:00pm at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona following Rick's services at Carr-Tenney. On April 8th, Rick's family will also be gathering at the Old Town Tortilla Factory, 6901 E. Main Street, in Scottsdale at 5:00pm. Anyone is welcome to join the family in this no host food and bar celebration, honoring Rick's life. In lieu of flowers, any donations can be made to Rick's daughter's, Amber and Angel, 1617 E. Broadmor Tempe, AZ 85282, to help them with the costs of Rick's funeral and final expenses.