Francis M. “Buddy” Wright, Jr., loving father and friendly companion to so many of us, died at the age of 85 in his home on Friday, January 24, 2020. Buddy always managed to do things his way – in life, and in death. He lived by himself, independently, able to walk, cook (we can all count instant gravy mix as cooking), and care for himself right up until his last moments.
Buddy Wright was born on June 21, 1934 in Winfield, Kansas to Evelyn Elizabeth and Francis M. “Tanny” Wright, Sr. He graduated from Winfield High School. Throughout high school, Buddy was an incredible athlete as a sprinter and football player.
He went into the Air Force where he was selected into the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP). He trained for the Olympics with one of his best friends Thane Baker. Buddy ran the 100 m in 9.3 seconds that year, but pulled a muscle just prior to the 1956 Olympic trials. Thane (who went on to win several Olympic medals) and Buddy both believe Buddy would have made the Olympics that year if he had not been injured.
Buddy ran track and played football at North Carolina State University and then the University of Houston. After college, he worked in the oil and gas industry, and created Tex-Ton with his father, retiring in the early 90’s.
Buddy was a charming man known for his quick wit, his generosity, his love for animals, and his compassionate spirit. He provided a home to many wild animals when he found them as helpless babies and nursed them into adulthood – including a bobcat, a fox, a deer, a raccoon, countless little birds, dogs, and cats. He would have given the shirt off his back to any person or animal to help them.
He was an avid supporter of his four children and grandchildren. He made it to every sporting event possible, whether it was a practice or a game, and to all of the band competitions as well. He spent hours teaching us the proper form to run, how to box, and how to play all kinds of sports. For the record, he was always way faster than any of us!
Buddy was preceded in death by his father Tanny, his mother Evelyn, and his 26 year-old son Tabor (1993-2019). He is survived by three children, Tres, Terry, and Pamela, son-in-law Roland; 9 grandchildren, Ashley, Alex, Taylor, Jacob, Braelyn, Logan, Paxton, Erik, and Anna Sophia; and numerous family and friends including cousin Patti, Kathy, and Connie.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 31, 2020, at 10 am at Brookside Funeral Home – Cypress Creek, followed by a funeral procession and a graveside burial at Memorial Oaks Cemetery. Flowers or donations may be sent to 9149 Highway 6 North, Houston, TX 77095.
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