SHELBY: Thomas "Tom" Everette Wright, 93, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. Born in Rutherfordton, he was the youngest of ten children born to the late Jesse Burton Wright and Alice Philbeck Wright. Tom was a military veteran serving in the U.S. Air Force during WWII, where he spent two years in the Philippine Islands. He was a professional baseball player for sixteen years, playing for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators, St. Louis Browns, and several minor league teams before retiring in 1957. He worked at Fiber Industries in Earl for twenty-two years, and was a home builder for a while during the 1960s and 1970s. His hobbies included woodworking, golf, gardening, and raising cattle.

PRECEDED: In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Zay Wright, Myrtle Wright, Gazzie Wright Kale, Mattie Lee Wright Ivey, William "Bill" Wright, Jesse Burton "J.B." Wright, Benjamin "Ben" Wright, and Gussie Sue Morrison.

SURIVIVED: Tom is survived by his loving wife of 77 years, Frances Patterson Wright; son, Tommy Wright and wife Dianne of Shelby; granddaughters, Amy Wright Ennis and husband Steve and Taffy Wright Puckett and husband Mike. Also left to cherish his memory are his three great-grandchildren, Caroline Puckett, Savannah Puckett, Jake Ennis, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend special thanks to a special caregiver, Corina Patterson, and special caregivers from Helping Hands, Heather Davis, Helen Harris, Rebecca Stewart and Doris Hopper.

VISITATION: The family will receive friends Friday, 6-7:30pm, at Clay-Barnette Funeral Home

FUNERAL SERVICES: Funeral services will be held 2pm, Saturday, at Crestview Baptist Church

OFFICIATING: Rev. Stan Webb

ENTOMBMENT: Will follow in Cleveland Memorial Park Mausoleum with military honors

FUNERAL HOME: Arrangements entrusted to Clay-Barnette Funeral Home of Shelby

ONLINE CONDOLENCES: www.claybarnette.com