Ronald Wayne Wright (1945–2026)

A true legend to those who knew him, Ronald Wayne Wright, known to many as Ronnie, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2026, in Mansfield, Texas, at the age of 80. He was surrounded by his daughters as he listened to the music he loved.

A Life Without Limits

Born in Fort Worth on June 12, 1945, to Jimmie Wright and Neoma Holden, Ron was a man of grit and determination from any early age. His first jobs — counting Coke bottles and running a newspaper route — sparked a work ethic that never dimmed.

He attended Arlington Heights High School and Eastern Hills High School in Fort Worth before graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington with a degree in government. During his time at UTA, Ron pledged Phi Delta Theta, where he formed lifelong friendships, and played football for two years, earning a starting position during one of them.

Ron served with honor in the U.S. Air Force Reserves after joining in 1967. He received the Air Force Commendation Medal in 1986 and retired in 1989 as a Major and Commander of Intelligence.

Ron’s physical prowess was the stuff of local lore. He was the Texas Middleweight Golden Gloves Champion in 1966 and 1967 and represented Texas in the National Golden Gloves. He trained his sparring partner, Terry Daniels, for the January 1972 Heavyweight Championship fight against Joe Frazier, and later that same year, he was selected to spar with Muhammad Ali in a charity exhibition, the highlight of his boxing career.

His athleticism transitioned into a lifelong passion for running; he completed numerous marathons, including a 50-mile run through the hills of San Francisco to celebrate his 50th birthday. Whether bungee jumping, skydiving, famously climbing the Channel 11 radio tower in high school, or jumping a moving train just to see if he could, Ron lived with an infectious, adventurous "yes."

An Entrepreneur and Traveler

Ron earned his pilot license in 1967, fulfilling a lifelong dream of flying. He later spent 17 years working in the reservations department with American Airlines, ensuring his family could see the world. Because of him, the Wright family explored the globe, though Ron’s heart always remained partial to San Francisco, Estes Park, and Lake Tahoe.

Driven by an incredible work ethic, Ron was a serial entrepreneur through his firm, Ron Wright and Associates, finding success in everything from insurance and medical records to private investigations and bail bonds.

His Girls

On April 25, 1970, Ron married the love of his life, Sharon, the woman he would call the “Beautiful One.” They shared 53 years of unmatched devotion until her passing in 2023. While he was a tough competitor in life, he was a softie at home, frequently dancing to oldies, cheek-to-cheek with Sharon in the kitchen.

He was the ultimate girl-dad to his "Angel" (Misty), "Pumpkin" (Wendy), and "Sunshine" (Megan). Though he took great joy in jokingly embarrassing them during their teenage years, he provided a foundation of laughter, protection, and unconditional love. To his four grandchildren, he was the incomparable "Papa," taking them for after-school treats, sharing long summer swims, and making homemade ice cream.

A Legacy of Heart

Ron never met a stranger and possessed a rare ability to make anyone laugh. He was all heart, known for going above and beyond for family and friends alike.

In 2018, Ron was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He and his family fought the disease with grace and perseverance. The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Legend of Mansfield and AlevCare Hospice for their tender care of Ronnie, and to the friends and relatives whose visits brightened his final days.

Survivors

Ron is reunited in Heaven with his beloved wife, Sharon; father, Jim; mother, Neoma; and sister, Jimmie Faye. His legacy lives on through his daughters, Misty Clark (husband, Brian) and their children Erin (wife, Emily) and Ryan; Wendy Danner and her children Cohen Laurence and Hazel Danner; and Megan Wright (partner, Eric Celeste) and Eric's daughter Maddison Anand. He is also survived by his sister, Monette Clark; his in-laws, Barry and Jayne Morris and Sheila and Bill Pollard; and his much-loved nieces and nephews: Taressa Joslin, Sarah Duchamp, Chipper Joslin, B.J. Clark, and Nicholas Clark. He leaves behind a host of friends who will forever cherish their "Ronnie stories."

Service Details and Remembrances

A visitation will be held at Emerald Hills Funeral Home and Memorial Park at 500 Kennedale Sublett Road, Kennedale, Texas from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by a graveside service at 12:15 p.m. We welcome all who knew and loved Ron and his family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Ron’s memory to continue the fight against the disease he faced so bravely.