Russell Keith Wright

A Tribute to the Life of Russell Keith Wright (father of Linda Wright & Nancy Carver):

Russell Wright was born in Glendale, CA., August 12, 1927, the second of two sons of Frank and Glada Wright.  After moving to Illinois, Russell attended Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois, then transferred to and graduated from Fenger High School in Chicago in 1945.

Russell enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 10, 1946, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, as a cook.  He was deployed to Germany in June, 1946, where he served with the Third Army.  He returned from Germany in December, 1948, and was discharged at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, on December 10, 1948.  During his time in service, Russell achieved the rank of corporal and was rated as a Tech 5, First Cook and Mess Sergeant.  His awards included the Army of Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. 

While stationed in Germany, Russell met his future wife, Trudel.  They raised six children: Linda, Faye, Nancy, Howard, Geoffrey, and Brad.  Geoffrey was born in 1958 with many challenges.  Russell and Trudel devoted much of their love and energy to caring for and supporting Geoffrey for 26 years, until his death in 1985.  The remaining siblings all live in Illinois and Indiana. 

After the war, Russell and his growing family lived in the Roseland community of Chicago.  He worked in a variety of office positions at Cargill, at the Ace Hardware Corporation, and the American Candle Company, among others.  He attended St. Stephen’s Methodist Church in Roseland where he sang in the choir.   He was a lifelong avid fan of the White Sox and “Da Bears”.

The Wright family moved to Park Forest, Illinois, in 1973.  Russell died on May 18, 1986, at the age of 58; four months after his beloved Bears won Super Bowl XX.