Ronald Lee Wright

Ronald Lee Wright was born in Denver, Colorado, March 19, 1942, to Elsie Marian and Claude Lee Wright. His childhood was centered around golf, following his dad in many amateur tournaments plus competing in his own junior tournaments. He represented the state of Colorado in the Junior JC at the Stanford University course, one of his favorite memories. He and his brother, Gary, four years older, won the Wellshire 4 Ball when Ron made a hole in one on the final hole near dusk, but the group around the green made it clear what had happened. Ron was on the South High golf team which won the state championship. He graduated from South High in 1960.

Ron attended Arizona State University on a golf scholarship and completed his degree in finance at The University of Denver in 1964. He worked for Shell Oil Company and for The University of Denver as assistant director of Admissions where he met his wife, Darlene K. Wright, who was a student and working part time at DU.

Ron and Darlene married in June 1968, in Texline, Texas, and moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where they worked for Phillips Petroleum Company. Ron greatly enjoyed the Hillcrest Country Club there, designed by Perry Maxwell, who also designed Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In 1980 Ron started his own residential real estate company in partnership with Ernestine McAnaw and enjoyed great success in Bartlesville.

After 21 years of marriage, Ron and Darlene were blessed with their first child, Jeffrey Wright and in another two years, their second, Robin Kay Wright.

In 1997 Ron sold his share of his real estate business to his partner and moved his family to Tucson. It was an adventure he never regretted. He enjoyed golf at Tucson Country Club where he won the Senior Club Championship in 1998. He loved the mild winters, the views of the Catalinas, the wildlife and the opportunity to be outdoors year-round. In the summer he took the family to Payson, Arizona, where the Mogollon Rim provided its own beauty.

Ron was a loving husband and father. He made good decisions. He was a great storyteller. He was an optimist. He made good plans, and he executed them.

Ron went to Heaven on September 1 to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Darlene, his son Jeffrey Wright of New York City, NY, his daughter, Robin Kay Driscoll (Sam) of Phoenix, Arizona, and his brother, Gary (Janet) of Evergreen, Colorado.