Kenneth F. Wright, Jr.

COLUMBUS - Kenneth F. Wright Jr. of Columbus, Ohio passed away peacefully on January 25, 2023 at the age of 90. Kenny, as he was commonly known, was born and raised on the West Side of Columbus, Ohio in “The Bottoms” (Franklinton). An entrepreneur from an early age, he began carrying newspapers for the Columbus Citizen Journal when he was too small to ride a bike. Despite his slight stature and youth, he moved up to become the manager of the local paper distribution hub (a wooden shed) where he quickly learned how to develop loyalty and trust among his more experienced, older paper carrier peers. He later sold rush early editions of the Columbus Dispatch in central downtown Columbus announcing VE Day and VJ Day in 1945. Kenny was proud to be a “Wessider” and maintained a life-long bond with those he grew up with. He graduated from Central High School in 1950, where his 78-member class voted him “most likely to succeed”; and succeed he did. He served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1954 as a radar technician aboard Convair B-36 “Peacemaker” bomber planes - primarily in Spokane, Washington where “Pudge”, as Kenny was known in the Air Force, cultivated many life-long friendships. Upon returning to Columbus, he graduated from The Ohio State University in 1957 with a BA in Real Estate. He began his career with W. Lyman Case & Co. where he spent many treasured years specializing in downtown office space and residential projects. In 1965, he was the first Ohioan to be awarded the prestigious designation of Certified Property Manager by the Institute of Real Estate Management. Following his deep desire to be his own boss, Kenny founded The Wright Company in 1970, a sole proprietorship that he owned and managed until he retired in 1996. The Wright Company, an Accredited Management Organization, became a highly regarded manager of apartment, retail, and office properties in central Ohio. While serving as the Vice President of the Columbus Apartment Association in the early 1970’s, Kenny was instrumental in the enactment of landlord-tenant law in the State of Ohio. During his career, he was a long-time member of The Athletic Club of Columbus where he was a fixture at the “Gravy Table” lunch nearly every workday. For many years after Central High School closed, Kenny organized the annual “Wessider” reunion at the Florentine restaurant on West Broad Street. Kenny was an avid fisherman, enjoying trips with his family or close friends to Lake Erie and various locations in upper Michigan. He loved to golf (hole-in-one May 1970 at Oakhurst Country Club) and was a long-time member of Hickory Hills Golf Club. Following retirement, he spent most of his winters in Florida golfing with friends in Fort Myers. He loved to vacation with family, particularly in Florida and in the Great Lakes. Kenny also enjoyed gardening, mowing the lawn, changing his own oil, and all types of do-it-yourself projects. He was a season ticket holder and regularly attended Ohio State football and basketball games for over 50 years – where his sons and nephews often accompanied him. He was a supporter and lover of all things Columbus, Ohio. Above all, Kenny Wright was a tremendous father and provider to his family; as well as a buddy, mentor, and trusted advisor to scores of friends. He is preceded in death by father Kenneth F. Wright, mother Lillian M. Wright, brother Glenn O. Wright, and sister Ruth N. Wright. He leaves behind his sister Charlene Mann, his two sons Ken III and David (Tracy), former wife Bobbie Wright, and grandchildren Allie, Peter and Kelly in addition to three great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. A celebration of Kenny’s life will be held in the near future; as soon as the day and time are finalized full details will be posted on the Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services by Schoedinger Hilltop website. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family suggests donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.