Raymond "Bruce" Wright

Raymond "Bruce" Wright was born on February 07, 1960 in Ottawa, KS. He passed away on May 15, 2026 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family.

He is preceded in death by his Dad and Mom, Claude Wright and Dolly (Ratliff) Wright-Gilliland and brothers, Kenneth and Neil Wright.

Growing up, the family moved a lot. His brothers Ken and Neil were his best friends, and the 3 were always the new red-haired freckle-faced boys in school. From a young age the brothers worked hard mowing lawns, delivering newspapers and working for local farmers. Bruce loved sharing stories from his childhood, including the time his older brothers sent him flying down a hill on a tricycle, ending with a broken arm and the excitement of getting his first pair of eyeglasses at age five and seeing leaves on trees clearly for the first time. In honor of that memory, his eyes were donated to Saving Sight

Bruce graduated from Eudora High School in 1978. He had fond memories as the yearbook photographer, Art Class, being in Betty Gates' English class, and racing his 1969 Olds 442. During high school he worked at several well-known Lawrence businesses including Aztec Inn, Mobil gas station (owned by Bill Edmonds), Moore Burger, and Vista Burger.

After graduating High School, he went to work at E and E Display Group where he was a forklift driver, Shipping and Receiving Clerk and an operator of the Printer-Tinter. In 1996 he went to work for INX Ink Company as an Ink Technician, he became known for his remarkable ability to match colors and for helping customers across the country with technical support and ink systems. No matter the job, Bruce took pride in his work and helping others.

Bruce met the love of his life, Jeanne, at the Palladium in Lawrence in February 1982. After one dance and memorizing her phone number, he called her the next day and made a date for the next weekend. He went to work the next day and told his E and E friends he had met the woman he was going to marry. Five months later, on July 17, 1982, they were married at Calvary Temple in Lawrence.

Together, Bruce and Jeanne built a life centered around family and raised their three children: Elizabeth, Alissa, and Benjamin. They lived in Lawrence, Eudora and Elkhorn, NE before building their family home in rural Leavenworth County in 1999. Family vacations included camping trips to Colorado, New Mexico, and South Dakota, sleeping in tents, hiking, rock hunting, campfire cooking, and taking countless photographs. Family nights were spent watching Young Frankenstein, Star Trek: Next Generation, and the X-Files while sharing Casey’s taco pizza, Monopoly, and chess games.

He was so very proud of the accomplishments of their 3 children and the amazing people they grew up to be, and nothing brought him more joy than becoming “Papa’ to his grandchildren. Many of his grandchildren are carrying on his love for art, photography, and billiards, which made him extremely proud.

Bruce was a history buff and a fan of the 1893 World’s Fair. He loved Star Trek and never missed an episode. He was a life-long reader and a music lover, from classic rock to classic country. He had a nice album collection, and over the years went to concerts from Paul McCartney to Willie Nelson. He was a fan of Rush Limbaugh and Coast to Coast AM radio shows. He was a long time billiards enthusiast and taught his children how to shoot pool. During pheasant and quail season he enjoyed hunting with friends and his Vizsla, Lucy. He was a devoted fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas Jayhawks. Bruce and Jeanne were treasure hunters and went to auctions all over Kansas and Missouri looking for antiques. Bruce enjoyed researching and selling antiques and collectibles on eBay.

In the last few years, he started painting again and his artwork of buffalo, trains, mountains, and southwest scenery is beyond belief. He hung his paintings throughout their home for everyone to enjoy.. Two years ago, Bruce started remodeling their home, together they have brainstormed; they turned a bedroom into a log house and built a barn door wall in another room; he even painted a buffalo mural on the dining room wall. The family will continue the work that Bruce started and finish the home in his honor.

Since covid, and Bruce’s diagnosis of congestive heart failure, Jeanne has been working from home. This extra time together was a true blessing. She will be lost without her other half and will continue to love him with all her heart and soul.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 44 years Jeanne Wright, daughter Elizabeth and DJ Crosswhite, daughter Alissa and Eric Dahlquist and son Benjamin Wright.

Grandchildren Gavin, Colton and Bristol Lansing, Connor, Kendall and Bryleigh Crosswhite, Emma, Mia, and Olivia Dahlquist.

Dogs Ripley and Ruby and cats Purrcey, Polly, Penny, and the kittens he rescued from the barn last summer, Mr. Spock, Data and Tripp.

Sister- Laura (Kimball) Parker

Sisters-in-law- Loretta Posch and Kathleen Wright.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.