Hunter Wright

Hunter Wright Earl Hunter Wright, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, went to be with the Lord on December 16, 2014 surrounded by his loving family.  He was born in Cambridge, Maryland in 1922 and named for his father but was always known by his middle name Hunter.  Hunter was only four when his family moved to Pleasant Ridge, a Detroit suburb, when his father left DuPont to become Comptroller of Cadillac Motors in downtown Detroit. Hunter graduated from Lincoln High School in Pleasant Ridge then went to Kalamazoo College where he was a member of Century Forum Society and Emeritus Alumni Club.  He met the love of his life, Betty Zick Wright of St. Joseph, at college, and they were married in 1942 at Zion Evangelical Church in St. Joseph. Soon after their marriage, Hunter enlisted in the U.S. Army Signal Corps where he was a Cryptographic Technician from 1942-1946, encoding and decoding classified messages for the military.  He served in the Pacific Theater in New Guinea, Australia, and the Philippines, his unit landing by ship in the Philippines three days before “D” Day.  Hunter was honored to have some of these World War II experiences recorded in the book Lest We Forget. Hunter was in the insurance business in St. Joseph for 30 years.  He was a devoted member of the Zion Evangelical Church of St. Joseph, holding many positions including deacon, and was proud to have been on the building committee of the Veronica Drive church. Hunter enjoyed sports, especially golf.  He loved doing photography as a hobby and was a former member of Twin City Camera Club.  He was a hospital volunteer.  He rose to the office of Worshipful Master of the Huron Masonic Lodge #361 and more recently has been a member of the Lake Shore Masonic Lodge #298.  He had also been a member of the Stevensville American Legion and the Elks Club of St. Joseph. Hunter and Betty were blessed with 72 years of marriage and three children:  Cynthia Wright Beles of Sarasota, Florida; Stephen (Marlene) Wright of Stevensville; and Christine Wright of Stevensville.  They had ten grandchildren:  Bradley (Dawn) Beles, Scott Beles, Jason (Isabel) Beles, and Michael Beles (all of Sarasota); Matthew Beles of Stevensville; Tiffiney (Jeremy) Watson of Kalamazoo; Nikole (Neil) Harris of Kalamazoo; Hunter Wright of St. Joseph;  C.J. Wright of Stevensville; and Andrew Wright of Stevensville.  Their six great-grandchildren include:  Stephen Harris and Landon Harris of Kalamazoo; Ryan Beles of Sarasota; Abigail Watson and Cory Watson of Kalamazoo; and Savanna Beles of Las Vegas.  He has a brother Jesse B. Wright in California but was preceded in death by his brother Robert Wright of Easton, Maryland and grandson Stephen Hunter Wright. Hunter was a man who lived life honestly, with utmost integrity, and consistent with the courage of his convictions.  At all times, he intentionally put first the needs of his family, friends, and anyone who needed help.  He was known as smart, witty, fun, humble, loving, and always loved by those he’s left behind.  Hunter will be dearly missed. Visitation will be held at Zion Evangelical Church, 3001 Veronica Drive, St. Joseph, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 22, 2014 followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 a.m. the same day. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home or Zion Evangelical Church. Those wishing to sign Hunter’s memory book on line may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services in St. Joseph.