FCC (SW) Michael A Wright

Fair Winds and Following Seas

Michael Andrew Wright, 39, passed away on Saturday, May 14, 2005 in Virginia Beach, VA.

Born on December 3, 1965 in Memphis, TN, he graduated from White Station High School in Memphis in May 1984.

He joined in U.S. Navy in September 1984 and served valiantly for 20 honorable years, stationed aboard the USS Farragut DDG-37, USS George Washington CVN-73, USS America CVN-66, USS Enterprise CVN-65, USS Deyo DD-989, Dam Neck, Va. Beach; Millington, Memphis, TN; Mare Island, Vallejo, CA; Orlando, FL, and he was trained at Chicago. Rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Began his naval career as a Machinist Mate, changed rate to a Data Systems technician, and retired as a Fire Control Chief. Retired from active Naval service in September 2004. He was awarded the Naval Commendation medal, and four Naval Achievement medals. Served during the attack on Libya, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. His current employer was ESN (Electronic Systems Networking) at Yorktown Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, VA.

He loved motorcycles, was an avid rider for 20 years, and owned five motorcycles in his lifetime.

Michael is survived by his wife of 16 years, Sonja A. Wright; son, Joshua N. Wright, age 15, of the Virginia Beach; mother, Charlotte R. Whitby of Memphis, TN; father, Calvin Wright of Memphis, TN; brother, Christopher and John Wright of Memphis, TN; sister Vanessa Franking of Lake Tahoe, NV; sister  Lela Diane Amodeo of Memphis, TN; uncle, Andrew Roberts; and great aunt, Lamar C. Roberts of Paris, TN.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 19, 2005, in Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Kempsville Chapel, by Bishop Ray Mechling and Rev. Carolyn Schwarz. Burial with full military honors will follow in Albert G. Horton Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday and Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Navy Relief Fund. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.

I think this is Michael's Junior picture from White Station High School, taken around 1983 or so.

These pictures are from the last time I saw Michael, at Grandmother's funeral. We talked a lot on the phone, but I wish we visited more. Notice how Michael towers over everyone. I never stopped looking up to him. In the middle is some of Michael's art from high school, this picture won first place in the Mid South Fair the year it was drawn.  Michael loved to draw when we were growing up, especially a lot of science fiction pictures. On the left is my other brother Chris, and Michael is with our Mother on the right.

Joshua N Wright, Michael's son, with uncles Chris and John.

A recent photo of Michael at home.

Sonja gets Michael's US Flag.