Beecher Emory Wright

   Beecher Emory Wright, 78, of Portsmouth, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2025, at the SOMC Hospice Center. He was born on December 1, 1946, in Spruce Pine, NC, a son of the late Emery Mullins and Alma Beulah Cox Wright.

   Beecher was a 1964 Portsmouth High School graduate and an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, having separated as a Staff Sergeant. For his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. After his Air Force service, Beecher joined the Ohio National Guard serving with the 16th Engineer Brigade at Portsmouth. He proudly served as Past Commander and Life Member of the James Dickey Post #23 American Legion and on its Honor Guard. He also was a member of the American Legion Riders, the Forty & Eight, Vietnam Security Police Association #607, Life Member of the Vietnam Veterans of America #1006. Beecher was selected to be an Honor Flight recipient and traveled with other veterans to Washington, DC.

   An avid golfer, he was a member of the Portsmouth Elks Lodge #154, and he spent many hours at the Elk’s Country Club. Beecher was also a member of the Aurora Masonic Lodge #48 F&AM, and the El Hasa Shrine Club.

   He worked many years for the US Postal Service and retired as the Supervisor of Mail. As a younger man, he had worked as an umpire for the Del Rice and American Legion Baseball Leagues.

   Beecher is survived by his wife of 32 years, Sherry Lynn McClary Wright. The couple was wed in Greenup, KY, on May 29, 1992.

   Also surviving are his daughters, Shelley Wright Nunley of Columbus, and Kathy (Andy) Zamer of Portsmouth; daughter-in-law, Tina Wright of Winder, GA; two brothers, Thomas Wright of Chapin, SC and James Mullins of Lucasville; three sisters, Cathy Noles of Portsmouth, Donna Mullins Daniel of Lucasville and Lisa Tackett of Lucasville; seven grandchildren, Christopher Maxwell Wright, Alexis Marie Wright, Robert Cameron Schackart, Alex Michael Gahm, Emelia Danielle Nunley, Ellie Olivia Nunley and Gabrielle Makenna Zamer; one great-grandson, River Cameron Schackart; and many nieces, nephews and their families.  

  Beecher was also preceded in death by his son, Bryan Christopher Wright; the stepfather who reared him, Dewey Wright, Jr.; and a sister, Betty Wright Grigsby.

   The Wright family extends sincere thanks to Becky Shepherd, his caring and compassionate caregiver.

   Funeral services will be held at 1 P.M. on Friday, January 24, 2025, at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Rev. Calvin Ray Evans officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Burial Park with Military Rites offered by the James Dickey Post Honor Guard.

   The family will receive friends from 11 A.M. until the funeral hour, and the Aurora Masonic Lodge will conduct Masonic Services immediately prior to services.

   The flag of the U.S. Air Force will fly at the funeral home in honor of Mr. Wright’s service to our country. 

   Memorial contributions may be made to SOMC Hospice, 2201-25th St., Portsmouth, OH 45662.

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