Harry James Wright Jr.

Harry was born on December 11, 1936, in Washington, DC, and grew up in Arlington, VA. He was one of three children born to Harry and Leila Wright and dearly loved his two sisters, Barbara and Marilyn. He attended St. Charles middle school, and Washington and Lee High School where he played football alongside his lifelong friend, Jerry Whitehouse, and the actor Warren Beatty.

Harry’s love of football continued throughout his life and led him to coach the Arlington Bearcats, a youth football program dedicated to developing young athletes. He attended CREI, where he studied electronics while working at Safeway, earning recognition as their top cashier. After graduating with an associate’s degree, Harry joined the U.S. Air Force, combining his lifelong love of airplanes with his technical training in electronics by repairing military aircraft.

After two years of military service, he was discharged and began working at LogEtronics Inc. in Springfield, VA. There, he managed the service department for electronic photo-printing machines used to create aerial maps. This career took him all over the world, and he especially enjoyed traveling to Australia and Germany.

Harry was a gifted pilot and his passion for airplanes spanned his entire life. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and was always eager to take anyone and everyone flying. He took his young children flying whenever he had the opportunity and patiently explained the controls and instrument panel and even let them “fly” for a while. He was an excellent and generous teacher.

Harry maintained a strong faith throughout his life, and the unconditional love and support he gave his children is something they will greatly miss and will always hold dear.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Leila Wright; his sister, Barbara Hobbs; and his brother-in-law, Dennis Hobbs. He is survived by his daughters, Susan Wright and Cathy Riddle (husband Jeff Riddle); his son, Mark Wright (wife Sherry Wright); his grandchildren, Mark Wright, Jr. and Tyler Riddle; his sister, Marilyn Wright; and his niece, Diana Berry, along with her children, Maddie and Emily Berry, and Brandon Yurechko.

The funeral service will be held January 30, 2025 at the National Funeral Home at 12:00pm followed by his burial at the National Memorial Park at 1:00pm.