Hugh Wright

Orrin Hughitt "Hugh" Wright, age 90, passed away Sunday, August 25, 2013 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center of natural causes. Born March 21, 1923 in Hinsdale, IL, Mr. Wright was a resident of Polk County since 1925. He was a graduate of Summerlin Institute and Michigan College of Mining & Technology. He proudly served as an officer on Navy submarines during WWII, graduating first in his class at naval midshipman's school at Columbia University. As an Navy Officer he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corp Medal. Having met his Navy nurse bride aboard a submarine in Pearl Harbor, they were married in San Francisco, February 2, 1946. After earning his degree as a mining engineer, he returned to Florida where he was involved in the phosphate industry until his retirement. He was a longtime member of the Bartow First Presbyterian Church and extremely active in the Polk County Historical Association where he served as co-editor of the quarterly. He had a lifelong interest in history and genealogy. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Edith Wright Hartley; his parents David Morgan Wright Sr. & Edith Wright; a brother David Morgan Wright Jr. Mr. Wright is survived by his wife of 67 years, Freddie Wright of Bartow; three daughters, Barbara Fite (Mike), Lutz, FL; Anne Wright (Ralph Roberts), Tallahassee; & Marian Wright, Windermere, FL & 6 Grandchildren,Greg & Aaron Hartley, Amy (Nabil Boukhrissi), Elise, Michael & David Letanosky. Family will receive friends Tuesday, August 27, 2013 from 10-11 AM at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, Bartow. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Polk Historical Society or the Bartow First Presbyterian Church. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com