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Mr. David Hazel Wright

May 24, 1931 - January 21, 2013
Columbia, South Carolina

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3926 Devine Street
Columbia, SC 29205
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“David, Amy and Andrew, We are so sorry about the loss of your Dad/Grandad. Our prayers will be with you during this time. Losing a father...Read More » ”
1 of 30 | Posted by: Herbert and Linda Mims - SC

“Lynn and family, After working with Dave for several decades(and you)in broadcasting, I have many fond memories that I will cherish forever. My...Read More » ”
2 of 30 | Posted by: Roger Hinson - Columbia, SC

“Lynn, David and family So sorry to hear of the passing of your dear husband and father. He was a kind, warm, and caring friend and he will be...Read More » ”
3 of 30 | Posted by: Tommy Bone - West Columbia, SC

“David , We are so sorry to hear about your father. We could not make it calling hours but our hearts and prayers were with you and will continue...Read More » ”
4 of 30 | Posted by: Bill and Weezie Wise

“LYNN...OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND THE CHILDREN...BOB AND MARIE ”
5 of 30 | Posted by: ROBERT PRICE - COLUMBIA, SC

“Lynn, I am praying for you during this time of loss. ”
6 of 30 | Posted by: Sue Hardin - West Columbia, SC

“My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.We will all keep many fond memories of Dave.He was a talented, caring, sincere person.So...Read More » ”
7 of 30 | Posted by: Miriam S. Upton Breckenridge - SC

“Lynn and Family- I am going to miss Dave. My day was always brightened after a chat with him. Whether it was a joke or a story from the recent or...Read More » ”
8 of 30 | Posted by: Charlie Mauney, Jr. - Blythewood, SC

“Lynn - My parents, Wyman and Fae Sox, share in the sorrow of your loss. Viki ”
9 of 30 | Posted by: Viki Sox Fecas - West Columbia, SC

“Lynn and all of the children, Dave was a fine man with a delightful zest for life. I am very proud to have been able to call him my friend. To...Read More » ”
10 of 30 | Posted by: Carla Harman Hardee - Columbia, SC

“Our condolences go out to the Wright family on their loss. Mr. Wright will be remembered by so many people in the Columbia area. My prayers are...Read More » ”
11 of 30 | Posted by: Kaye Freels - Knoxville, TN

“David and family, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your Father. I'll be praying for you all, and keeping you in my thoughts. ”
12 of 30 | Posted by: Shelby Banks Duensing - SC

“We are so saddened to hear of Dave's death. He has been in my prayers everyday since I heard of his cancer by Joy. May God grant you confort. ”
13 of 30 | Posted by: Samra and Humphrey Childers - SC

“We have witnessed the passing of a true American hero. Dave Wright touched countless lives and will always be remembered. The significance of the...Read More » ”
14 of 30 | Posted by: Vernon Gainey - SC

“My thoughts and prayers are with The Wright family. Dave Wright was a class act and we will miss him dearly. ”
15 of 30 | Posted by: Andy Wilson - Columbia, SC

“You were part of the "good radio" when we came to Columbia all those years ago. Rest in peace. ”
16 of 30 | Posted by: Ron and Diane McBrayer - Columbia, SC

“I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dave Wright. I remember watching him on Safari when I was a little girl. He was so funny, he would tell a...Read More » ”
17 of 30 | Posted by: Anna M. Ehrhardt - Columbia, SC

“My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ”
18 of 30 | Posted by: Marty Woods - Columbia, SC

“Lynn, our hearts are sadden by the loss of Dave. I've kept up with his illness through your mom. Ray remembers well the radio days at WIS when he...Read More » ”
19 of 30 | Posted by: Linda & Ray Ham - West Columbia, SC

“Our hearts and prayers go up for all of your family. It is not easy to lose your Dad. You are not alone. Praying for God's peace... Jeff & Teri...Read More » ”
20 of 30 | Posted by: Jeff & Teri Merritt - Irmo, SC

“So sorry to learn of Dave's passing. My condolence to the family. ”
21 of 30 | Posted by: Jasper "Jack" Watson - irmo, SC

“David & Family So sorry for your loss. my thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. Godspeed Mr. Wright. ”
22 of 30 | Posted by: Kay Muldrow McMillan - Chapin, SC

“I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family were a big part of my life growing up in Whitehall, I loved listening to dad and his coworkers on...Read More » ”
23 of 30 | Posted by: Catherine Beckham - LEXINGTON, SC

“Chairman David, I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. I listened to him many-a-day for many years and I always enjoyed his reports from ...Read More » ”
24 of 30 | Posted by: Roy Barnette - Hickory, NC

“Dave's passing saddens me greatly. We rarely saw one another or even spoke for that fact, but that should serve as a testament to the caliber of man...Read More » ”
25 of 30 | Posted by: Mike Anderson - Lexington, SC

“David and Family, I am very sorry to hear of your father's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. ”
26 of 30 | Posted by: Greg White - Grand Rapids, MI, MI

“Lynn: My thoughts and prayers are with you and the kids. Love you. ”
27 of 30 | Posted by: Teri Puryear - Lexington

“David and family- My sincerest sympathy on your loss. Brian O'Connell ”
28 of 30 | Posted by: Brian O'Connell - Alexandria, VA

“David and family- please accept our heartfelt condolences in the passing of Mr. Wright. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. ”
29 of 30 | Posted by: Colette Honorable - Little Rock, AR

“My deepest sympathy to all of the Wright and Floyd families. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. ”
30 of 30 | Posted by: Betsy Dunbar Sawyer - Columbia, SC

David H. "Dave" Wright
COLUMBIA - A memorial service for David H. "Dave" Wright, 81, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 25, 2013 at Northeast Presbyterian Church, 601 Polo Road, Columbia. The family will receive friends from 11:45 a.m. until just before the memorial service begins. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.
Mr. Wright passed away late Monday afternoon after a hard-fought, sixteen-month-long battle with cancer. Born David Hazel Wright on May 24, 1931 in Charlotte, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Leatha Mae Austin Wright and Samuel Hazel Wright.
Mr. Wright was a graduate of Central High School in Charlotte, but it was the education he received in the real life world of radio and television where he excelled. Dave Wright began his career in radio at the age of 14, when he was offered his first job after impressing a local station manager while competing in a junior disc jockey contest. After a stint in the Air Force during the Korean conflict, Mr. Wright returned to the airwaves at WGIV-AM radio in Charlotte before joining WSJS-AM in Winston-Salem, NC.
In 1959, he went to work with WIS Radio in Columbia. He worked in both radio and television, where he hosted a very popular live Saturday afternoon program for WIS-TV called Safari. He worked for WIS as a live, on-air personality and as a radio salesman from 1959 until 1976, when he and three fellow employees, Gene McKay, Bill Benton and Dennis Waldrop, purchased WSCQ-FM, known to the many listeners as Sunny 100. WSCQ went on the air under their ownership on January 31, 1977 and maintained a significant presence in the Columbia market for the next 20+ years. Mr. Wright retired from WSCQ in October 1997.
In 1962, Mr. Wright began reporting golf results live from the Masters golf tournament, the first of what would be a 50 consecutive year streak. In April 2010, Wright was a recipient of the prestigious Masters Major Achievement Award. Mr. Wright also reported live from several other PGA tournament sites, including every Heritage Golf Tournament from its inception in 1969.
Mr. Wright was widely known and sought after throughout the Southeast as a professional comedian and banquet speaker. He averaged 100+ shows per year from 1958 to 1985, including shows in Las Vegas, Chicago, New York City, and San Francisco. Mr. Wright emceed the Columbia Touchdown Club for many years, as well as countless association meetings, beauty pageants and local shows. He also performed in industrial films and was featured in many commercials locally and nationally.
For his work over the years, Mr. Wright earned many awards and honors for which he was very proud. In 1980, he received the highest honor a South Carolinian can receive, The Order of the Palmetto, from Governor Richard W. Riley. He was a recipient of the Sales and Marketing Executives Salesman of the Year Award, and well as SME's Small Business Person of the Year. In addition to his previously mentioned golf honors, Mr. Wright was recognized as the Carolina's Golf Reporter of the Year. He also received the "Key to the City" from Columbia Mayor Bob Coble and he was honored by a proclamation proclaiming "Dave Wright Day in South Carolina".
Mr. Wright was member of many civic organizations and boards over the years, including service as a PTA President at two schools, a past-Chairman of the Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission, and the boards of the SC Broadcasters Association, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and the Riverbanks Zoo. He also coached Dixie Youth Baseball.
Mr. Wright had served as a Deacon and Elder at Northeast Presbyterian Church, as well as a member of the Congregational Care Committee. He was also active in the Upper Room Men's Bible Study group. Before becoming a member of NEPC, Mr. Wright previously served as a youth Sunday School teacher at Woodfield Park Baptist Church and as a Deacon and Adult Sunday School teacher at Riverland Hills Baptist Church.
Mr. Wright is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Lynn Floyd Wright, and their twin son and daughter, Frank Christopher Wright and Katherine Jane Wright, as well as four adult children from a previous marriage: David Austin Wright (Amy), Julian Carrick "Rick" Wright (Barbara); Barry Elliot Wright (Jennifer), and; Amy Wright Conwell (Glen). He leaves behind nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Leland McElveen and the staff at SC Oncology and the oncology nurse, Shirley at Palmetto Baptist, and Brandi at Palmetto Richland for their loving care and attention.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials to Mr. Wright be made to Northeast Presbyterian Church, 601 Polo Road, Columbia, SC 29223.

Memories & Candles

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David, Amy and Andrew,

We are so sorry about the loss of your Dad/Grandad. Our prayers will be with you during this time. Losing a father is one of the hardest things to endure; we pray for God's peace for you. Sincerely, Herbert and Linda

Posted by: Herbert and Linda Mims - Turbeville, SC - aunt and uncle to David's wife Feb 01, 2013

Lynn and family,
After working with Dave for several decades(and you)in broadcasting, I have many fond memories that I will cherish forever. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all the family. Roger Hinson

Posted by: Roger Hinson - Columbia, SC - previously worked with Dave Jan 28, 2013

Lynn, David and family

So sorry to hear of the passing of your dear husband and father. He was a kind, warm, and caring friend and he will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with and for you.

Posted by: Tommy Bone - West Columbia, SC - Friend Jan 26, 2013

David ,

We are so sorry to hear about your father. We could not make it calling hours but our hearts and prayers were with you and will continue to be. Please accept our deepest condolences.

Bill & Weezie Wise

Posted by: Bill and Weezie Wise Jan 26, 2013

LYNN...OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND THE CHILDREN...BOB AND MARIE

Posted by: ROBERT PRICE - COLUMBIA, SC - FRIEND Jan 25, 2013

Lynn, I am praying for you during this time of loss.

Posted by: Sue Hardin - West Columbia, SC - Friend Jan 25, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.We will all keep many fond memories of Dave.He was a talented, caring, sincere person.So sorry for your loss. Fondly,Miriam Breckenridge

Posted by: Miriam S. Upton Breckenridge - Columbia, SC - Friend Jan 25, 2013

Lynn and Family-

I am going to miss Dave. My day was always brightened after a chat with him. Whether it was a joke or a story from the recent or distant past, it was a great break from the daily grind.

Posted by: Charlie Mauney, Jr. - Blythewood, SC - Friend Jan 25, 2013

Lynn -

My parents, Wyman and Fae Sox, share in the sorrow of your loss.

Viki

Posted by: Viki Sox Fecas - West Columbia, SC - Friend Jan 25, 2013

Lynn and all of the children,
Dave was a fine man with a delightful zest for life. I am very proud to have been able to call him my friend.
To you, Lynn, I was very pleased to have met and spoken with you on several occasions at SCOA, while I was there with my mother (Mrs. Harman). I saw Dave's whole face light up when you approached. He really enjoyed talking about the twins. If I can ever be of assistance, I will be there for you all.

Posted by: Carla Harman Hardee - Columbia, SC - friend Jan 25, 2013

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