Roger D. Wright

June 7, 1942 - January 21, 2016

Roger D. Wright, 73, passed away Thurday, January 21, 2016 at home.  Born in Chicago, Illinois, to Robert D. and Lila M. Mathison Wright, he moved with his family to Streator in 1949 and graduated from Streator High School in 1960.

Roger married classmate and high school sweetheart, Judy Brems, and moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1960.  He attended Indiana Institute of Technology  and received a BSME in 1966.  They moved to Columbus, Indiana, where he worked for Cummins Engine Co.  He earned a MSME degree from Purdue University in 1969.   He and Judy returned to Fort Wayne where he continued his career as a mechanical engineer.  He worked for 31 years in engineering management with Phelps Dodge Magnet Wire.

He was a member of St. Joseph United Methodist Church and attended regularly.  He and Judy were members of Taylor Chapel United Methodist Church while the children were young.  They were very active there serving on the administrative board, ushering, attending adult Sunday School, and leading youth fellowship.

Roger enjoyed traveling, reading, and spending time with his family.  He was an avid sports fan following the Purdue Boilermakers, the Chicago Cubs, and "Da Bears."  He also enjoyed playing golf.  In his later retirement, he spent much of the winter playing golf in the Rio Grand Valley of Texas.

He is survived by his by his daughters, Jeannie (Bruce) Armstrong and Roxanne (Terry) Boyles both of Fort Wayne, IN, and Janet (Dan) Lawrence of Westfield, NJ; grandchildren, Mark and Holly Armstrong, Samantha and Jessica Herber, Amanda Boyles, Megan (Curtis) Barger, Brian and Erica Lawrence and great granddaughter Melody Barger; sister Renae (Tom) Merritt of Burr Ridge, Il., and his special friend Jean Clifton of Fort Wayne.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Lila Wright,  and his  wife Judith Wright.

Funeral Service will be at 2:00 pm, Saturday, January 30, 2016, at St. Joseph United Methodist Church, 6004 Reed Road with visitation one hour prior,  Rev. Russ Abel officiating.  Visitation will also be Friday, January 29, 2016 from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm and 7:00pm - 9:00 pm at D. O. McComb & Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home, 4017 Maplecrest Road. Burial will be in Concordia Cemetery Gardens, Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Memorials may be made to the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research or St. Joseph United Methodist Church.