Gerald "Jerry" L. Wright, 85, of Frazeysburg, Ohio died Saturday morning, February 17, 2024 at Primrose Retirement Community in Zanesville, Ohio.

Born March 14, 1938 in Nellie, Ohio, he was a son of the late Walter J. and Margaret E. (Smith) Wright.  Jerry was a 1957 graduate of Frazeysburg High School where he excelled in sports. He was an all-county athlete in four different sports, track and field, basketball, football, and baseball.  Jerry retired from Owens Corning Tech Center and continued his love of sports by avidly cheering for The Ohio State Buckeyes, playing golf, refereeing basketball games, and playing tennis and softball into his late fifties.  He enjoyed collecting coins and driving his 1934 Ford pickup.  Jerry secretly loved the animals in his life, especially his horse, Fury and babysitting his grand puppies.  He was happiest watching and supporting his four grandchildren in their various sports endeavors and was especially proud that they all graduated from prestigious colleges.  Jerry loved his family tremendously and took every opportunity to tell others how much he loved them and how proud he was to be the "Best Grandpa".

Surviving is his daughter, JoAnne Hill and her husband, Keith of Dresden, Ohio; a son, Barry Wright and his wife, Fran of Buckeye Lake, Ohio; four grandchildren, Kris Hill of Dresden, Ohio, Kimberly Hill, of Coshocton, Ohio, Alex (Nate) Duhl of El Paso Texas, and Austin (Michelle) Wright of Millersport, Ohio; siblings, Butch (Linda) Wright of Millersburg, Shirley Coots of Frazeysburg, Cathy (Dale) Cleaveland of Alexandria, Nida Hood of Frazeysburg, Susie Cassie of Lima, and Katie (Fred) Ikehorn of Newark and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the love of his life, Alice R. Wright whom he married July 19, 1956 and who died March 6, 2019 and siblings, Dave Wright, Bill Wright and Don Lawrence.

Per Jerry's wishes, a loving cremation will take place. A celebration of life to be held at a later date.