illinoiscentral
SARM Volunteer
November 2nd, 2009 10:41 PM CST, Champaign Illinois.
Community,
As most of you know, my family has been slowly losing my Grandfather, Gary M. Wright.
He passed away Friday morning. He was 63.
He battled cancer since April and is home with the good Lord today.
Before I give a brief summuary of him, I would like to thank all of my friends and other people on this forum for their kind words during this painful time.
I have recieved PM's from several people over the last two months, Thank You.
Gary was a detective with the Champaign Illinois police department for over 25 years and was probably the best the Champaign PD has or ever will see.
He retired in the 1990's and got a job with Rogard's Office Supplies delivering office tools and supplies.
Every one of his customers and co-workers respected him, many loved him.
My Grandfather was a unique person, no one like him in the world, shy, funny, loving and eccentric.
He was a regular fixture at the Esquire Lounge in downtown Champaign.
Tomorrow after the service, his Barstool will be dedicated and a plaque applied at the Esquire.
Gary had a unique affect on people, he was honest and fair.
During the 1970's he worked in several African-American communities in northern Champaign, although most officers tended to treat the people unfairly, my grandfather treated them equally and fairly, like a decent person would.
He became extremely respected in a community where seldom an officer was respected.
He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Champaign.
His railroad Connections are vivid, he worked for "Pony Express" at the time affiliated with the Illinois Central Railroad, ten he later raised pigons, and put them on the City of New Orleans from Champaign to New Orleans, and they always flew back, until my grandma, Teresa, got rid of them!:hehe:
And my personal quote about him "...my Grandfather didn't take in stray dogs...he took in stray people."
So much truth there, he tended to help the homeless people, his current John, has lived with him since April and helped him around the house.
He provided him with a home and respect.
I was really touched by the visitation today, several Champaign police officers were there, all of which were paying their respects.
And the visitation was exactly how Grandpa would have had it, no crying, just swapping stories, catching up on family, and getting to know more family members.
No boo-whoos, just a good time...leave it to him to have the most fun "Funeral" service in a long time!:hehe:
I thank everyone for their prayers and kind words.
Please keep the following in prayer,
His wife Susan Wright, sisters Kathy, Sue.
His children Kelly, Amy, Mandy, and Tom.
Thank You once again, all of you, and I hope that you are able to see the wonderful man that he was in my brief story.
Woody
10:57 PM, Champaign Illinois.
Community,
As most of you know, my family has been slowly losing my Grandfather, Gary M. Wright.
He passed away Friday morning. He was 63.
He battled cancer since April and is home with the good Lord today.
Before I give a brief summuary of him, I would like to thank all of my friends and other people on this forum for their kind words during this painful time.
I have recieved PM's from several people over the last two months, Thank You.
Gary was a detective with the Champaign Illinois police department for over 25 years and was probably the best the Champaign PD has or ever will see.
He retired in the 1990's and got a job with Rogard's Office Supplies delivering office tools and supplies.
Every one of his customers and co-workers respected him, many loved him.
My Grandfather was a unique person, no one like him in the world, shy, funny, loving and eccentric.
He was a regular fixture at the Esquire Lounge in downtown Champaign.
Tomorrow after the service, his Barstool will be dedicated and a plaque applied at the Esquire.
Gary had a unique affect on people, he was honest and fair.
During the 1970's he worked in several African-American communities in northern Champaign, although most officers tended to treat the people unfairly, my grandfather treated them equally and fairly, like a decent person would.
He became extremely respected in a community where seldom an officer was respected.
He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Champaign.
His railroad Connections are vivid, he worked for "Pony Express" at the time affiliated with the Illinois Central Railroad, ten he later raised pigons, and put them on the City of New Orleans from Champaign to New Orleans, and they always flew back, until my grandma, Teresa, got rid of them!:hehe:
And my personal quote about him "...my Grandfather didn't take in stray dogs...he took in stray people."
So much truth there, he tended to help the homeless people, his current John, has lived with him since April and helped him around the house.
He provided him with a home and respect.
I was really touched by the visitation today, several Champaign police officers were there, all of which were paying their respects.
And the visitation was exactly how Grandpa would have had it, no crying, just swapping stories, catching up on family, and getting to know more family members.
No boo-whoos, just a good time...leave it to him to have the most fun "Funeral" service in a long time!:hehe:
I thank everyone for their prayers and kind words.
Please keep the following in prayer,
His wife Susan Wright, sisters Kathy, Sue.
His children Kelly, Amy, Mandy, and Tom.
Thank You once again, all of you, and I hope that you are able to see the wonderful man that he was in my brief story.
Woody
10:57 PM, Champaign Illinois.
