John Lee Wright, 73, Spearfish, died Tuesday, November 6, 2012, at his residence in Spearfish.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at the Grace Fellowship Church in Spearfish with Pastor Steve Miller officiating.

John was born September 22, 1939, at Deadwood to Lee and Mildred (Osborne) Wright. John grew up in Spearfish where he graduated from Spearfish High School. He was employed at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store while in school. In 1961, he started working for Homestake as a cage operator.

On April 26, 1964, he married Helen "Sid" D. Kinney at Terraville, SD. They moved to Riverton, WY, where John worked at the Lucky Mac uranium mine. They returned to South Dakota and lived in Rapid City where John worked as a custodian for the Rapid City School System. They moved to Sioux Falls and John was a custodian for McKennan hospital. Following his retirement, he worked at the Stockade Restaurant as a cook in Sioux Falls. They moved back to Spearfish and John worked as a custodian for Black Hills State University for several years.

John enjoyed collecting Hot Wheels. He was an avid reader, especially his Bible. He liked to bowl and visit people. He also enjoyed a good game of cribbage and pinochle.

Survivors include his wife, Helen "Sid" Wright, Spearfish; son, John Wright, Spearfish; father, Lee (Eleanor) Wright, Sturgis; one sister, Gussie Erickson, Sturgis, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and brothers-in-law, Wally Solaas and Mick Erickson.


A memorial has been established.

Click on link to view service folder