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JOHN HOYLE WRIGHT, of Salisbury, was pronounced dead Saturday, October 25, 2008, at Moberly Regional Medical Center in Moberly, Missouri. John was born December 7, 1922, in Salisbury, he was united in marriage to Alma Lucille Turner, and they were parents of seven children.

John attended the one-room Redd School northwest of Salisbury through the eighth grade and graduated from Salisbury High School in 1940. John was a farmer all his life, who started farming on the family farm when he was ten years of age. John was a veteran of World War II; He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December 1944 and received his basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Air Station in Illinois. He served aboard the battleship USS New Jersey in the Pacific theater from April 1945 until the end of the war. He recalled all the work the crew performed on the New Jersey to get ready for the signing of the peace treaty only to have the event moved to her sister ship, the USS Missouri. John served two terms as president of the Salisbury Township Board and helped improve the roads of the township. He also served on the Prairie Hill Cemetery board for many years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Salisbury and enjoyed the helping the men prepare the Easter Sunrise breakfast for several years. John loved to farm and expressed that on of his favorite things was the smell of fresh turned earth in the spring. John also worked part-time as a carpenter helping build several homes in Salisbury. John enjoyed going fishing with his friends and neighbors, spending time with his family, and raising numerous dogs. When his children were in 4-H, where he served as leader and, John worked with them in various projects and would take the family to spend a week at the Missouri State Fair to show their livestock and other blue-ribbon projects. He retired from farming in 2000 after Parkinson’s disease robbed him of his strength and ability to farm. John served as an example for what a person should be by his honesty, integrity, and caring for others. John looked forward to family gatherings when all the family could be together and especially enjoyed the special wedding anniversary celebrations the children would plan each year. John endured many hardships in life. A fire in 1964 burned down two barns that housed 350 head of registered livestock and a source of livelihood for the family.

John leaves behind his pride and joy—the wonderful legacy of loving family, including his wife of 64 years, Lucille; three daughters, Carol Harvey and her husband Jim of Sedalia, Missouri; Kathy Nelson and her husband Russell of East Moline, Illinois; Janice Sallee and her husband Dave of Branson, Missouri; and one son, Phil Wright and his wife LuAnn of Jefferson City. He is also survived by ten grandchildren, Lance Harvey of Chillicothe, Jill Harvey Kindle of Sedalia, John, Kim, and Jake Nelson of East Moline, Illinois; Yancey Nelson, stationed in Italy in the US Air Force; Stephanie Sallee of St. Louis; Jeff Sallee of Kansas City; and Alyssa and Nathan Wright of Jefferson City. Also surviving are two great granddaughters Gracyn and Piper Harvey of Chillicothe, a sister Doris Hawkins of Salisbury and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and three children Joyce Evelyn age 11, John Stephen age 9, and Phyllis Ann Wright age 5.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 28th at the Summerville Funeral Home with burial in Prairie Hill Cemetery. With military graveside services provided by Cleve Iman VFW Post 4926 and the Salisbury American Legion Post 391. Visitation is Monday, October 27th from 4-8:00 p.m. at the Summerville Funeral Home in Salisbury. Memorial contributions may be made to the Prairie Hill Cemetery Association, Salisbury United Methodist Church or the Salisbury Food Pantry.

Minister: Rev. Jim Crooks
Organist: Marva Davis
Vocalist: Kenny Boss
Pallbearers: Lance Harvey, John Nelson, Jake Nelson, Jeff Sallee, Jud Kindle, Greg Nanneman
Honorary Pallbearers: Dave Sallee, Jim Harvey, Russell Nelson, Phil Wright, Nathan Wright, Yancy Nelson, Paul Nanneman, Bob Miller, Jerry Harvey, Hugh Paul Farnen, Johnny Peart, & Donnie Twyman