Wright, Frank 1952-2011

WRIGHT, ABBOTT, CRYMES, CONLEE

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 3/20/2017 at 12:10:28

Frank Wright
Polk City
1952 - 2011

Frank Wright, 58, passed away Saturday, April 30, after a two year fight with ALS. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. this Wednesday at Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Ankeny. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at OLIH with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m.

Frank was born May 10, 1952 in Frenchburg, Kentucky to Vernon E. and Wilma Wright. He grew up in Middletown, Ohio then attended The Ohio State University where he graduated in 1977 with a degree in industrial engineering. Frank came to Iowa to take an engineering job at the John Deere plant in Ankeny. He earned his MBA from Drake University in 2002 with a 4.0 GPA and continued to work at John Deere until his retirement in 2009.

Frank married Teresa Seery Abbott, the love of his life, in 1992 shifting gears in his passionate life to become as much a family man as a car man. Frank's life long passion for restoring cars began as a boy in Ohio. After rebuilding an abandoned car as a teenager Frank moved on to become a recognized expert in saving and restoring classic British sports cars. Frank's cars were not intended to be museum pieces but were driven often on cross country adventures with his family. Frank always said, "driving creates memories." Cherished memories also include camping trips with his wife and children, Nolan and Elizabeth, and boating at Okoboji and Clear Lake. Summer nights were often spent around backyard campfires.

After being diagnosed with ALS in 2009 Frank continued his zest for life at full speed. He became actively involved with the ALS Association of Iowa advocating for increased research funding and participated in research projects to advance the cause. In 2010 he completed his tenth Dam to Dam race a year after his diagnosis. To show that people with ALS can still participate fully in life Frank continued to work on his cars and rebuilt a 1960 MGA to drive with his family to California. As the disease progressed Frank found outlets for his talents in writing, photography and music. His humor always kept those around him in high spirits.

Frank so impressed the ALS community that he was selected by both www.mdausa.org (Muscular Dystrophy Association) and the ALS Association www.alsa.org to be profiled on their national websites during May, ALS awareness month.

He is survived by his wife, Teresa and children, Nolan and Elizabeth, siblings Debbie Crymes of Gainsville, GA, Ginger Conlee of Mount Sterling, KY and Tom Wright of Orlando, FL.

Frank's family wishes to offer their heartfelt thanks for the kindness and support of Dr. Hansen and the professionals the MDA clinic, the Iowa Home Health Staff, particularly Kimberly and Chris, and the research team at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Frank's wish was that in lieu of flowers, contributions would be made to the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins University (www.alscenter.org), the Iowa Chapter of the ALS Association or the MDA.

Frank was a loving husband, father, brother and friend. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/desmoinesregister/obituary.aspx?pid=150732563#sthash.ZKC7BDMh.dpuf ~ The Des Moines (IA) Register, Wed 4 May 2011.