John Nathaniel Wright, Jr. passed away on Thursday, April 26 at St. Frances Hospital, Bartlett, TN at age 96. “Coach” Wright was born December 19, 1921 in Yalobusha County, MS to John N. Wright and Hattie Belle Crews Wright.
He began his 39 year high school coaching career in Waynesboro, MS, with stops at Tunica, MS, and Winona, MS, before moving to Memphis where he coached at Messick, Christian Brothers High School and Southside before finishing his career at Memphis Technical High, where his rendition of “Blueberry Hill” was a staple of the annual Tech reunion.
Coach Wright loved quail hunting and his bird dogs along with fishing with his son Craig, the St. Louis Cardinals and his Ole Miss Rebels.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Pete, Eunice, Joe Willie, Raymond and Doss and his wife of 55 years, Evelyn Barton Wright and his wife Beth Conerly, who brought him such joy.
He is survived by his sons Steve (Carol) of Weir, MS, and Craig (Debra) of Memphis; his 3 grandchildren, Chris Wright, Mary Wright, and Laura Dylus and four great grandchildren Douglas Long, Julia Long, Bruce Wright Dylus and Alexander Dylus and a host of nieces and nephews.
Coach Wright was a 63 year member of Bellevue Baptist Church and its Yokefellow Bible Class.
Visitation will be on Monday, April 30, from 5-7 at the Memphis Funeral home, 5599 Poplar with funeral services to be held on Tuesday, May 1, at 11:00 in the Pollard Chapel of Bellevue Baptist Church. Internment will be at 3 p.m. at Oak Springs Cemetery in Calhoun County, MS.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home.
