Ralph Wright

Ralph Raymond Wright The gates of Heaven opened at 7:05 p.m. Friday the 25th of November to welcome home a truly wonderful man. Ralph Raymond Wright finished his life journey at the Veterans Hospital in Danville, Illinois surrounded by his family and a very dedicated and the caring staff who helped make his transition peaceful. Ralph was born July 5, 1918 in Danville to Hyta and Ina Wright where he lived his younger life working on the family farm around State Line, Indiana. He left the farming life, married his soulmate, Marie Kirkpatrick on September 15, 1940. They celebrated 76 wonderful years before her passing on July 9, 2016. He started work as a truck driver for The Paxton Wholesale Grocery Company delivering bread to stores in Central Illinois. He was then called on by his country to serve in the United States Navy during World War II aboard the USS Davis, a destroyer protecting his country in the European Theater. He was Honorably discharged on January 8th, 1946, and began a career as a manager for the Grab It Here grocery chain, something he truly loved, because it gave him the opportunity to interact with people. After 22 years at Grab It Here, he continued his management skills for another 20 years at the Catlin IGA. After retiring he enjoyed working at Danville Gardens and the Beef House Restaurant planting and tending to flowers, a true passion he enjoyed for many years. Ralph's children grew up with the ever present sound of various tools as he worked on the family home. Plaster dust mixed with saw dust punctuated by a few very exciting electrical incidents was the norm as he continuously remodeled the family home. He built a greenhouse which allowed him to care for his flowers all year long. He never lost patience even though the boys tested the limits many times such has using his new garage as a backstop for bow and arrow practice or taking over the garage and driveway to work on their hot rods with friends. Always the perfect father, he knew when to just look the other way and shake his head. Ralph was well known in the community and loved by all who worked under his successful. Ralph was a devoted Christian and practiced his strong beliefs daily.direction. He thought of them as his extended family. He never met a stranger and lived his entire life as a very fair and giving person. He was deeply involved in activities for his children as they grew up including school activities, Boy Scouts, Little League and PTA. He supported his community whenever they called and would go to great lengths to ensure charity events were Ralph and Marie started their family with Dennis (Dona) Wright of DeLand Florida, Curt (Nancy) Wright of Danville and Michele (Jeff) Sims of Sisters Oregon. Throughout the years he was blessed with grandchildren, Stefanie Pratt of Savoy, Kay Sims of Portland, Oregon and Rachel Sims of Olympia, Washington. Ralph leaves behind to cherish his memory a brother Frank (Pat), brother-in-law Paul (Karen) Kirkpatrick, sister-in-law Sharon Wright and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Carl and Jim Wright and a special brother and sister-in-law Earl and Ruth Kirkpatrick. A memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Central Time, December 3, 2016 at the Second Church of Christ in Danville with dinner following. Private inurnment will be at the VA National Cemetery for both Ralph and Marie with full military honors. In lieu of flowers the family would be honored with a donation towards the "Land of Lincoln Honor Flights, Inc." to thank Veterans for their sacrifice to this country. Arrangements made at Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center 3940 N. Vermilion Danville Il. Please join Ralphs family in sharing memories, photos, and videos of his life on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.