Jerry was born April 5, 1942 in Wichita Falls, TX to Gladys and Woodrow Wright. He had two brothers, Joe Pat and Jimmy Ray Wright. Jerry grew up in Bovina, TX where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Carole Jean (Hastings). They were married on February 21, 1964 in Bovina, TX and recently celebrated their 59th anniversary.

Jerry and CJ had two children, a son, Weldon Heath Wright and a daughter, Jeri Jean "JJ" Wright. They moved to Elephant Butte Lake, NM in 1976 and then to Albuquerque, NM in 1982 where they lived for 32 years before retiring in Hudson Oaks, TX to be near their children and grandchildren.

Family Who Went Before

Jerry was preceded in death by his father Johnie Woodrow Wright, his mother Gladys Mae (Varner), and his brother Jimmy Ray Wright (wife Patsy).

Family He Left Behind

He is survived by his wife Carole Jean (Hastings), his son Weldon Heath Wright (wife Jerron), his daughter Jeri Jean “JJ” Cawelti (husband Chris), and his brother Joe Pat Wright (wife Dana).

He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Nathan Josiah Wright, Dylan Elijah Wright (wife Emily), Brycen Isaiah Wright (wife Sophia), Aislyn Hannah Wright, Elise Noel Cawelti, Braden Joel Walker, Joshua James Cawelti, and Trenton James Walker.

Jerry also held many of his friends as close as family including life-long friends from boating, flying, and his career.

Jerry served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was stationed in Fort Hood, TX, and Fort Belvoir, VA. 

Jerry always loved the water and going fast. In his twenties and thirties, he raced full-sized tunnel hulls in many major racing events including the World Championship races in Lake Havasu City, AZ in 1969.

He later dedicated his time to model boat racing. He spent more than forty years promoting the sport. He served as District Director for the TX, NM, and OK chapter of the North American Model Boating Association. He earned many awards, including national championships and multiple leadership roles, but his greatest treasures were the friendships he made. Jerry counted his boating friends as family and they treated him as such. In 2016, he was inducted into the NAMBA Hall of Fame. This honor was one Jerry was very humbled to receive. Here is a brief excerpt from his nomination: 

"Few people bring the kind of well-thought-of familiarity that Jerry Wright does. He has been a pillar of leadership for the model boaters of the southwest nearly four decades and is currently serving as the NAMBA District Director for District 7, just one of the many ways he has served during his model boating career. Always a calming demeanor and a rational thinker, he manages to keep it competitive and fun! Jerry is a loving husband and father and has recently relocated from Albuquerque to Fort Worth with his wife, Carole Jean, to be near their children. A fierce competitor and National Champion, he is the quintessential sportsman." 

Jerry worked in banking for more than twenty years and was a financial investment advisor for another twenty-plus years. He owned his financial advising practice under IDS Investor Services, American Express, and Ameriprise.