Theodore "Ted" Wright

Mr. Theodore Clayton Wright, 91, of Upland, Indiana, went to be with the Lord and passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on Saturday, October 30, 2021. Ted was born April 12, 1930, in Upland, Indiana, to the late Selah G. Wright and Mary E. Wright (Bragg). He was raised and lived in Upland for most of his life. He graduated from Jefferson Township High School in 1948 and Taylor University in 1952. He attended Graduate School at Ball State University. During his high school career, Ted played basketball, baseball, and ran track. He was one of the top scorers in Grant County all four years and set a long jump record that was held for over 25 years. During his Taylor years, Ted was a four-year starter in basketball and a three-year All Conference winner. He was the first Trojan to surpass 1,000 career points. Long-time Taylor Coach Odle once called Ted "the best player I ever coached." Upon his graduation, he had offers from the Syracuse Nationals (basketball) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (baseball) but was unable to pursue either opportunity as he was called to serve his country in the US Army. Prior to the end of his 2 year service, he married Upland resident Julia Anne Wright (Mittank). After his service, they settled back in Upland where Ted began his teaching and coaching career. In 1966, Ted began his second career at the Upland Bank. He held various management positions until eventually becoming President of United Bank of Upland. At his time of retirement, Ted was Senior Vice President and Trust Office for STAR Financial Bank and a member of their Board of Directors. Throughout his life Ted gave back to the community, serving the Lions Club, coaching little league and basketball, and financially contributing to multiple non-profit organizations. He spent his life serving the Pierce Church, formerly Upland United Methodist Church. He traveled all over the country to support his children and grandchildren's athletic events, and watching Taylor University women's basketball. Ted spent a majority of his free time outdoors fishing, gardening, and golfing. Ted amassed a great number of awards in his lifetime, including his induction to the Taylor University Hall of Fame in 1996 and Grant County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012, his inclusion in the Chronicle Tribune All Century Basketball Team in 2000, and recognition for being on the Town of Upland Wall of Fame. He is survived by his five children: Thad and Cecelia Wright of Pleasant Lake, IN, Sheryl Wright-Jones of Fort Myers, FL, Michael and Penny Wright of Tucson, AZ, C. Robin and Teresa Wright of Columbia City, IN, Cynthia and Greg Branham of Anderson, IN; Grandchildren: Natalie Ring, Koreasa (George) Williams, Tiffany (Mark) Munoz, Clayton (Carrie) Wright, Christopher Wright, Patrick Wright, Tristan Wright, Katie Jones, Nathanial Wright-McDuffee, Aubrey Wright, Elizabeth Wright-McDuffee, Jacob Wright-Gardner; 10 great-grandchildren; and brother: Robert (Phyllis) Wright. He was preceded in death by wife Julia, parents Selah and Mary, brother Kenneth, granddaughter Paige, and great-grandson Austin. The family would like to thank the caring staff of Heart-to-Heart Hospice and his loving caregiver April Cannon. Arrangements for Ted have been entrusted to the Jones-Smith Chapel of Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 259 North Main Street, Upland, Indiana, where a visitation will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2021, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 5, at 10:00 a.m. with Tracy Wright and Pastor Evan Guse officiating. Burial will take place at Jefferson Cemetery. Contributions made in memory of Ted may be made to Pierce Church in care of the Summer Youth Camp. Online memories and condolences may be shared at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com. Visitation Thu, Nov 4, 2021 at 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Armes- Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services Jones Smith Chapel - Upland 259 North Main streetUpland, IN 46989Service Fri, Nov 5, 2021 at 10:00 am Armes- Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services Jones Smith Chapel - Upland 259 North Main streetUpland, IN 46989