John "Johnny" Edward Wright

On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, the family and friends of John Edward “Johnny” Wright lost a beautiful soul as he departed this life. He is proceeded in death by his father, Alwin Otis Wright, his mother Mary Lynn Wright, his son, Edward John Wright, his sisters Ervil Marie Behe, Dorothy June Whealen, and Shirley Frances Wilson, and his brothers William Wright, and Tommy David Wright. He is survived by his estranged wife Lorena Wright, his daughter, Lorena

Lynn Sinkler, his son William Frederick Wright, his brothers, Billy Dee Wright (Margaret), and Jimmy Neely Wright, his sister Betty Jane Abell, 9 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews, and many, many friends.

Johnny Wright was born to the late Alwin Otis and Mary Lynn Wright in Lynch, in Kentucky on Thursday, February 6, 1941. Later that year, Johnny’s family moved to Anacostia, a neighborhood in Washington, DC, when Johnny’s father Alwin was hired to work at the Washington Navy Yard as an electrician. Johnny shared many stories about growing up in DC.  He once built a battery-powered bicycle so he could travel from Anacostia to see a friend he had in Potomac Heights. His family moved to Nanjemoy, MD in June of 1955, when his father went to work at the Naval Ordnance Station. His parents purchased a farm on Bowie Road. Johnny loved the farm life and worked many jobs as a teenager. He would tell his children and grandchildren stories of how he would cut pulp wood, and work at neighbors’ farms to make money. Approximately 65 years ago he replaced the tin roof on his family’s barn. He was very proud of that job and would point that roof out to anyone that happened to be with him on Bowie Road as the roof that he put on that old barn is still there.

He graduated from LaPlata High School (1960) where he had excelled in sports. He lettered in Track and Field. That same year he went to work at Dick’s Garage in Indian Head, MD. Dick Fuchs was a mentor to him and a very dear friend, as well as the rest of the Fuchs family. It was around this time that Johnny started playing cards. This became one of his lifelong past times. He loved playing cards and his card-playing buddies.

On October 15, 1961, he married Lorena Dennison at the Luthern Church of Our Savior, in Indian Head, MD. They had 3 children, Edward John, Lorena Lynn, and William Frederick. As time went by and Dick retired, Johnny bought the business, and Johnny’s Garage was born. Johnny loved his business and his customers. He was the front-end alignment king. Johnny closed his business in 2009. But, Johnny didn’t stop doing mechanical work. People still sought him out to fix their mechanical problems. He enjoyed his day trips with his best friend Kay Maddox. They would leave out early in the mornings on adventures. He always looked forward to and enjoyed their outings and missed her when she would go to Florida. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He loved tinkering in his garage, eating crabs, and working in his garden. He was the kindest, sweetest soul and his loss is hanging heavy on all that knew and loved him.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM; and on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 10 AM until time of funeral services at 11 AM.  Internment Nanjemoy Baptist Church cemetery.

Pallbearers:  
Charles "Blue" Price 
Larry Fuchs 
Garnell Watson
Kevin Wallace
Ricky Johnson 
Freddy Wright 
Steven Sinkler
Cary Herbst, Jr.

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