Stephen Kelly Wright

May 22, 1947 - March 6, 2003

Stephen “Kelly” Wright, of Eureka, died on Thursday, March 6, 2003, at Via Christi-St. Joseph Medical Center in Wichita, at the age of 55. He was born on May 22, 1947, in Iola, Kansas, the son of Robert and Betty Marie (Payton) Wright. He was raised in rural Burlington and attended Burlington High School. After his schooling, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country with dignity and honor. In November of 1980, he was united in marriage to Nancy Matlock in Burlington. They made their home in Burlington, Hamilton, Emporia, and Eureka where they raised a family. The union later ended in divorce. On June 4, 1994, he was united in marriage to Patty S. Poe in Eureka, where they made their home. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion Post 50. He is survived by his wife, Patty of the home, two sons, Nicholas Wright and James Wright, both of Emporia; one daughter, Sarah Dawn Marie McDonald of Athens, Texas, two stepsons, Larry Brown of Rose Hill and Michael Brown of Mechanicsville, VA; one step-daughter, Stacey MacMurray of Wichita; three grandchildren, Cody Wright, Seth Wright, and Rayn McDonald; one sister, Claudia Onley of Iola, one nephew, Kelly Warren Onley, and one niece, Peppie Onley. He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepson, Clifford Brown. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Monday, March 10, 2003, at Koup Family Funeral Home with Pastor David Richards officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. A memorial has been established in his name with the First Baptist Church of Eureka. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, P. O. Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045.