Eugene (Gene) Wright, 71, of Mt. Airy, Maryland, passed away suddenly at his residence on Wednesday, October 27, 2021. Gene was the son of the late Earl and Madelyn Wright, of Damascus, MD. Gene was born in Frederick, MD on July 13, 1950 and raised in Damascus, MD.
Gene is preceded in death by his father Earl Wright, mother Madelyn Wright, brother Frank Wright, and brother James Leonard Wright (Bucky).
Gene was a 1969 graduate of Damascus High School. He had fond memories of his classmates and time spent participating in the high school FFA activities. He enjoyed the school class reunions and annual holiday parties. Following graduation, he was drafted into the US Army and was stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After returning home from the Army, he started working as a burner mechanic at G. D. Armstrong and then for A.P. Woodson Co. Gene also started a side business, Bren Heating, where he worked on furnaces of friends and family. Changing careers, he became a heavy equipment operator and worked for R. A. Tull. Returning to his roots as a burner mechanic, he began working at Damascus Fuel until he retired in 2016. After a year of retirement, he decided to return to work as a heavy equipment operator for the MNCPPC at the Pope Farm in Gaithersburg, MD. He enjoyed all facets of his working careers and had a talented skill set for all that he did.
In 2009, Gene became one of the founding members of Mt. Airy Moose Lodge No. 2473. He served as the first Governor for this lodge from 2009 – 2012. Gene was a current member of the Frederick Family Moose Lodge No. 371, Frederick, MD. Gene was also a current member of the Damascus American Legion Post 171.
Gene loved his days of farming on his family farm. He was an avid camper and has many fond camping memories with his group of camping friends, “For Da Love of Camping”. Gene also enjoyed going out to lunch or dinner with his wife, Brenda.
Gene was very witty and known for his “Geneisms”. You could always find him laughing, making jokes, and telling stories.
Gene is survived by his wife, Brenda Wright, of 41 years, his 2 sons, Leslie Wright of Hagerstown, MD and Brian Wright of Mt. Airy, MD, his 2 step sons, Duane Ballenger, wife Melissa Wilson Ballenger of Stevensburg, VA and David Ballenger and wife Laura Cascella of Myersville, MD. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Duane Ballenger, Jr., Courtney Ballenger, Tyler Wright, and Santana Wright, his sister, Joyce Rowe, his nephew Frankie Wright, his niece Kim Kelly and his Goddaughter Becky Broyles. He is also survived by 3 brothers-in-law, Roy Miller, Joe Miller and wife Mary Miller, and Robert Miller. Gene also leaves behind his side-kick Razzie who he spoiled on a daily basis.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to visiting hours on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021 from 10-11am followed by the funeral service from 11-12pm at the Roy W. Barber Funeral Home, 21525 Laytonsville Rd., Laytonsville, MD 20882. Interment will follow the funeral service at Providence United Methodist Church Cemetery, Kemptown, MD.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Providence United Methodist Church, 3716 Kemptown Church Rd., Monrovia, MD 21770.
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