Lincolnton - Mr. John Henry Wright, 96, passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at Hospice at Wendover in Shelby.

John was born in Fallston, North Carolina on December 5, 1925. Next to the youngest of nine siblings raised on a farm, he served along with two brothers and three sisters in World War II. Their lives were very much shaped by the war. John served in the U.S. Navy aboard the destroyer, USS Beatty (DD-756) as an anti-aircraft artillery instructor. Not long after returning from war, he met and married his beloved Nell. They set forth in their 73 years of marriage as partners in life and in faith, lovingly raising a family that spanned generations and always serving the church. John was blessed with a wonderful baritone voice. He graced the Shelby airwaves and other communities in concert as part of the Melody Quartet. He was a pillar at Bess Chapel United Methodist Church as a Sunday school teacher, a soloist a member of the choir and as a lay leader.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son William Jerry Wright and seven siblings.

He was a beacon in family life and his greatest joy and purpose was as a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather to those who will continue to honor his memory: wife Nellie Bess Wright, son Paul Wright and his wife Tammy Wright, grandson Jonathan Deal and great grandson Jonathan Deal Jr., daughter-in-law, Patsy Wright, grandson Rob Wright and wife Candace Wright, and great grandsons Jerry and Robinson Wright, grandson Greg Wright and Meredith Varn and remaining brother, Ken Wright.

The family will receive friends from 1:45PM to 2:45PM on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at Bess Chapel United Methodist Church, 6073 Flay Road, Cherryville, NC.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, September 25th, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Bess Chapel United Methodist Church with Pastor Randi Godfrey officiating.

Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery with military honors provided by Cherryville American Legion Post 100 Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to Bess Chapel United Methodist Church, c/o Linda Towery, 2357 Bess Chapel Church Road, Cherryville, NC 28021 or to the Wounded Warriors Family Support, 11218 John Galt Boulevard, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68137.

A guest register is available at www.stameycherryvillefuneralhome.com

Stamey-Cherryville Funeral Home & Cremation Service is serving the family of Mr. Wright.