Richard Lyle Wright, age 83 of Virginia died Tuesday, August 29, 2017 in his home. He was born August 27, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Dudley and Veronica (Houge) Wright, and the family moved to Brainerd in the early 1940's. Richard moved to Virginia in the early 1950's and was a longtime Virginia resident. He married Shirley Ann Zukosky on June 9, 1956 in St. John's Catholic Church in Virginia. Rich was employed by Mesabi Sign Company and in the late 1950's started Rich Rite Signs. He was also employed by Northland Signs in Duluth and later Rich Rite Signs became Ad Art Signs. Rich was a former member of the Knights of Columbus, the Minnesota National Guard, the Northern Club, was Past President of the Virginia Bowling Association, and was a High School and Junior League Bowling Coach. He was an accomplished bowler, bowling a 300 and a 299 game, a great conversationalist, enjoyed golf and had a hole-in-one, played the piano, did crosswords, played horseshoes, and liked to watch Minnesota Sports Teams. Rich was a good woodworker/carpenter, a talented free-hand letterer, was benevolent in his donations of signage to the Bess Metsa Memorial Gardens and to the Virginia Little League; was a great problem solver, had a competitive spirit, and loved his kitty, "Buffy".

Rich is survived by his wife: Shirley; sons: Tim of White Bear Lake, MN, Mike (Jaci) of Wyoming, MN, and Douglas of Virginia; grandchildren: Ashley of Chicago, Ryan of Minneapolis, Andrew & Natalie of Wyoming, and Taylor Thompson of Cherry; siblings: Douglas Wright of St. Francis, MN and Delores (Bob) Smith of Brainerd, MN; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings: Phyllis Tuomi, Ron Wright and Charles Wright.

A Gathering time for family and friends will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2017 in the Bauman-Cron Funeral Home.

Inurnment will take place in the Calvary Cemetery in Virginia.

Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .