Alan Wright

Alan Wright, 84, of Matthews, NC, died in his home on Thursday, September 25, 2014. He was born to Ernest Wright and Bessie Bahler Wright of Johnson City, New York. After graduation from high school, Alan went to work as an apprentice toolmaker at IBM. His career had just begun when he answered the call to serve his country

in the Korean War. Returning to work at IBM he continued his education at Binghamton Community College, where he would later teach. In 1962 he took a leave from IBM to earn a degree in computer science from the University of Oklahoma. Alan worked on the frontline of the emerging technological revolution, from tape and disk drives to early semiconductor development. He served on the Board of the Broome-Delaware-Tioga BOCES for 5 years before leaving to move his family to Charlotte in 1979.

Alan retired after 44 years with IBM in 1992 and became a volunteer at Loaves and Fishes and Habitat for Humanity, for whom he managed a Jimmy Carter Work Project in Korea in 2001. Alan was a long time board member of the Maine Woods Dance Camp and a devoted International Folk Dancer.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years Jeannine Kelly Wright, a son Eric Wright of Davidson, NC, two daughters Karen Wright Hersh, of California, and Kelly Essenmacher of Michigan, two grandchildren Gary and Hans Essenmacher. He is also survived by a twin sister Alicia Griggs and three brothers Eugene, Jerry and Walter as well as numerous nieces and nephews and a 2008 Audi TT.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity, Loaves and Fishes or Maine Woods Dance Camp.

The family will receive visitors at McEwen Pineville Chapel on Park Road from 4-7pm on Tuesday, September 30, 2014. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 for details on contact, McEwen Pineville Chapel (704) 544-1412 or www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com