Francis M. “Bud” Wright Jr., 74, of Gatlinburg, Tenn., passed away Saturday, July 26, 2014 at his home. He was a man of great faith. Bud retired from the National Park Service after 42 years of service. Every summer, Bud would take an Alaskan adventure with his family where some of their most memorable moments together were spent doing the things he most enjoyed: hiking, hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis M. Wright Sr. and Iva Ogle Wright; sister, Wanda Wright Caton; and brother, Walter McCoy “Mac” Wright.
Survivors include: wife, Freda Rose Wright; sons, Roger Wright and wife, Jennifer; Randy Wright and wife Bridget; step-daughters, Crystal Rhynes and husband Bill, Elizabeth Bowers and husband Michael; brother, Ronald C. Wright; sister, Carol Wright Deckard; grandchildren, Melissa W. Clark and husband Jerrod, Randy Wright Jr., Katherine Wright; step-grandchildren, Connor Sim, London Altman, Goliath Altman, Avery Bowers, Nathan Bowers; and great-grandson, Cayden Sims.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Glades Lebanon Baptist Church of Gatlinburg, 820 E. Highland Drive, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Funeral services will be held at 7pm on Tuesday, July 29 in the East Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home with Rev. Greg Watson officiating. Family and friends will meet at 11am on Wednesday, July 30 in Ogle Cemetery for interment. The family will receive friends from 5-7pm on Tuesday, July 29 at Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville. (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)