Paul Beverly Wright, Sr. was born on November 25, 1936 in St. Louis, the youngest of four sons born to the union of James Lee Wright and Myrtle Wilson Wright. Orphaned at an early age, Paul and his brothers were raised by a loving network of extended family. He spent his childhood years in St. Louis and Troy, Missouri and attended Troy schools into the 8th grade. He graduated from Sumner High School in 1954, going on to earn a Bachelor's of Science in Education from the former Harris Teachers' College in 1958. While at Harris, Paul met his future wife, Shirley. After an extended courtship, Paul married into a clan of eight sisters and eight brothers, with him becoming the ninth. Throughout his academic career he was active in many activities and excelled in sports -- later playing semi-professional baseball. After graduating Paul taught in the St. Louis and University City Public Schools, and completed a three year placement abroad for the United States Department of Defense schools in Frankfurt, Germany. Paul served as a teacher, coach, advisor and mentor to hundreds of students of all ages throughout a teaching career spanning over 35 years. Upon his retirement from teaching Paul and Shirley moved to Bluffton, SC, where they enjoyed their "semi-retirement", which was interrupted by a series of jobs with various airlines that provided them the opportunity to travel extensively. Recent trips saw them share their life's journey to places that included Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, the Caribbean and South Africa, but their favorites were the regular visits to loved ones. Paul passed away on January 20, 2012 in Savannah, GA, following a stroke and other complications from surgery. He was preceded in death by brothers James "Coffee" Wright and Norman "Gene" Wright and by half-sisters Evelyn Wright and Alice Payne. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Shirley Tatum Wright, and by their children Lisa (Palmer) Jason of Dayton, OH; Paul (Melanie) Wright, Jr. of Skokie, IL; and Scott (Michelle) Wright of Bloomington, IN; his brother Adrian (Sue) Wright of St. Louis, MO; and by grandchildren Esmaude and Preston Jason, Jasmine Wright, and Samantha Wright McCormick, along with many beloved relatives and friends. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Paul Wright. You are invited to add a Tribute in his memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add your own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences.