Jack Wright

MOUNT HOREB - Jack Wright, age 89, of Mount Horeb, passed away peacefully in the evening on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Ingleside Manor due to complications of Parkinson’s disease.  

Jack was born in Bridgeport, CT, on March 24, 1935, to Harry and Anna (Lyhne) Wright. His father had immigrated from Bradford Yorkshire, England making Jack a first generation American. Jack and his dad enjoyed sailing off the coast of Connecticut and fishing.  

Jack attended Central High School in Bridgeport, CT, followed by trade school to become a printing press operator/lithographer.  After trade school, he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia.  He often joked that during his two years of active duty he “never set foot on a ship.” He did, however, meet the love of his life, Annabelle Lee Powell, at one of the naval base facilities; they married in 1958, just six weeks after their first date.  They would remain married for 57 years until Annabelle’s death in 2015.

Jack and Annabelle raised two sons.  Every summer they would take their boys on vacation to a new place in the USA or Canada; fishing, canoeing, camping, and Disneyland to name a few.  The Wright’s lived in Tulsa, OK, Greensburg, PA, Pine Bluff, WI, and Leesville, SC.  Jack was a printing press operator for about 47 years and achieved the coveted “Master Printer” certification.  An expert in his trade, he was hand-picked at American Printing Company (Madison, WI) to travel to Germany to learn how to operate German-made printing presses in Heidelberg and bring that training back to the USA and teach others.  

When their boys graduated from school and went off to their adventures, Jack and Annabelle moved to warmer weather in Leesville, SC.   They owned and operated a bed and breakfast (The Able House Inn) for 25 years, hosting travelers from around the world for short stays, wedding receptions and other large or small social gatherings.  They loved to entertain and travel (especially cruises), and were very committed to helping rescue dogs.  

Jack and Annabelle were active members within the Evangelical Lutheran Church and their community.  Jack was the Assistant Scout Master for Boy Scouts of America Pack 465 in Pennsylvania.  Jack was known for his superb woodworking skills, setting up HO gauge model train layouts and fixing just about anything.  

Jack is survived by his son, Scott (Alena) Wright of Mount Horeb; three grandchildren, Christopher (Amanda) Wright of Mount Horeb, Laura (Alek) Kneebone of Evansville, WI, and Maksim Wright; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Wright of Spring Green, WI; and sister, Janice Wise of Soda Springs, ID; six great-grandchildren, Amia, Asher, Aksel, Ames, Kyia and Jackson; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Annabelle; son, Mark Randal Wright; and half-sister, Jean (Frank) Voos.

Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON CAMACHO MOUNT HOREB FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 500 N. Eighth St., Mount Horeb, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024.

A celebration of life reception and spreading of ashes will take place in October, 2024, at Jack and Annabelle’s favorite national park - the Smoky Mountains - details will be shared on social media.
 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Jack's name to the Dane County Humane Society and to research for living with (and curing) Parkinson’s disease (parkinson.org, michaeljfox.org).

Jack’s family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Ingleside Community and to caregivers Carrie Reese and Kim Arneson-O’Connell for their care during the final years of his life.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077