Theodore Lee Wright

Theodore L Wright, or as most people called him Ted, was a devoted man of God, husband, father,brother, grandfather, coach and friend to many. He passed away peacefully at the age of 80 on December 27th, 2024.

Ted was born on May 5th, 1944 in Nogales, Arizona to his parents Demarcus and Consuelo Wright. He grew up in Tucson, Arizona where he graduated from Tucson High School in 1961 and then attended the University of Arizona for two years. In 1964 Ted joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served for two years.

The move to Seattle would come in 1967, where he worked for Boeing for a few years. In 1968 he attended Seattle Technical School where he would soon meet the love of his life, Ms. Josephine Arreola. They got married on January 6th, 1970 and have celebrated 55 years of marriage.

Later that same year Ted would be hired by IBM, where he worked for 30 years before his retirement in July of 2000. He enjoyed his retirement with his wife and family, keeping busy with coaching softball teams, observing and critiquing basketball officials for the PNBOA in the Seattle area and being a diehard University of Washington Husky fan, attending numerous football and basketball games. Ted also loved watching the Mariners, Seahawks and Golden State Warrior games, when he wasn’t attending his granddaughters sporting events. His biggest love and highlights of his week were attending their soccer, volleyball and softball games.

Seven years after his retirement he decided to go back to work to keep busy at Barrier Motors in Bellevue, WA where he worked for 7 more years into his 70’s before he retired.

Ted accomplished many things through his love of sports. He officiated basketball for 20 years and then went on to observe and critique officials for over 10 years. In 2018 he was officially inducted into the PNBOA Hall of Fame as a basketball official and observer, an accomplishment he was very proud of. He coached his son Al and Jeff’s little league and soccer teams and continued coaching Jeff’s men’s and co-ed softball teams that Jeff and Lisa played on to State Championships, ending his coaching career as an assistant coach for his granddaughter Jaliyah’s 89r fastpitch team. As a side line fan he was always quick to offer up coaching tips to his grandkids while watching them play soccer and softball. He did this until the end, even if his slowing mobility made it a challenge at times. He was their most dedicated fan.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents Demarcus and Consuelo Wright; brother Mark Wright.

He is survived by his wife Josie, his sons Ted Wright Jr.; Al Wright and wife Cathie; Jeffrey Wright and wife Lisa; granddaughters Samantha, Sydney, Jaliyah, Leilani and Keilana; Three Sisters Betty Freeman; Sandra Nollette and husband Frank; Rose Sneed; nieces Juliana, Tamara, Amber and Ashley; nephews Julian, Mark Jr., and Monty.

He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, past players and colleagues. We find comfort in knowing that he is resting peacefully with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.