Willie Gerald “Jake” Wright transitioned from rest to reward on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Emory University Hospital. He was born on Tuesday, May 24, 1949 in Dixie, Georgia (Brooks County) to the late Weadom and Pearlie Manning Wright.
He was the ninth of their twelve children.
He is preceded in death by his parents and four siblings: Weadom Wright, Jr.,Jimmie Gipson, Pearline Merrick and Pedro Wright.
Willie Gerald Wright loved the Lord and was a member of St. Philip AME Church, Atlanta, Georgia. As a youth he joined Beulah Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Quitman, Georgia. He loved singing in the Beulah Hill Baptist and Friendship AME church choirs. He had fond memories of his beloved Aunt Helen Fields carrying him to various churches to sing solos.
He graduated from Washington Street High School in 1967 and entered Albany State College, Albany, Georgia where he graduated June 4, 1972. He credited several people with helping him during his years at ASU. This led to his commitment to give back to struggling students. As a result of his substantial financial contributions, he was inducted into the ASU Athletics Hall of Fame (Supporter) and the Alumni Hall of Fame. He served on the ASU Foundation Board for eight years and was President for four years. Following college graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy (Air Navy) where he developed a fascination with airplanes and their operation.
After receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, Willie Gerald secured employment with Aetna Insurance Company in Springfield, IL, later transferring to Tampa, FL. He subsequently was employed by Concepts, Inc., in promotional sales and was one of the company’s top salesmen. There he met Willie “Bill” Latzko and later partnered with him to form Star Athletics, Inc. Star Athletics which offered promotional sports and souvenir items, operated successfully for over 25 years. Willie Gerald was also co-owner of Blankumsee Thomas & Wright Funeral Services (BTW) in Quitman, GA. BTW has been serving the Brooks County community and surrounding counties for almost 10 years.
He was a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and one of 15 charter members of the Decatur Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi.
His many hobbies included fishing, hunting, golfing, mentoring and counseling young people, barbecuing on the grill, watching football, tailgating (especially for his ASU Golden Rams) and spending quality time with family and friends. He especially loved spending time on his farm in Dixie, GA.
In 1988, Willie Gerald married the love of his life, Gladys Forte Wright. Gerald was devoted to his beloved daughter, Kristalyn Nicole “Nikki” Wright. In addition to his wife and daughter, he leaves to honor his legacy: Amanda “Mandi” Merchant, Goddaughter; along with three brothers: George Wright (Joyce) of Miami, James Wilbur Wright (Jackie) of Decatur, Georgia, and Dannie Wright of Atlanta; four sisters: Lottie Mae Cody (El Paso, TX), Lucy M. Heath (Port Orange, FL), Aristine Wright Grant (Baltimore, MD) and Patricia Jenkins (Anthony, in Monticello, FL); and a host of adoring nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Atlanta-Funeral Services for Mr. Willie Gerald “Jake” Wright will be held Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Jackson Memorial Baptist Church, 534 Fairburn Road, NW, Atlanta, GA. Family Visitation: Friday, February 14, 2020: 5:30 – 6:30 PM at Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home, 4347 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, GA
Dixie-Funeral Services for Mr. Willie Gerald “Jake” Wright will be held Sunday, February 16, 2020 at 2:00 PM at Beulah Hill Baptist Church, 1593 Hodges Road, Dixie, GA.
Burial: Beulah Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Dixie, Georgia.
Professional Services entrusted to Blankumsee, Thomas & Wright Funeral Services of Quitman, Georgia.
/fit-in/200x300/filters:fill(white)/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/200x300/filters:fill(white)/prod/534/105456/pvxqge3cjczvamvbcned.jpg)
