Thomas Wright

THOMAS WRIGHT

GRAFTON -  Manuel Thomas "Tom" Wright, 91, departed this life on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, entering the presence of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ at 9:41 p.m., at his home, surrounded by love.

Tom had believed in Jesus Christ as a young man, according to the instruction of John 3:16 and Acts 16:31, and was born on June 5, 1934 in Doniphan, Missouri, the youngest child of Melvin and Nancy Ellen (Cates) Wright.

His family moved to Grafton, Illinois in 1935, attending Grafton High School, and graduating in 1952 from Jersey Community High School in Jerseyville. At the young age of 18, he began working at the Grafton Powder Mill.  After just one year, he accepted employment with Owens-Illinois Glass Company and dedicated 30 years of service until the plant closing in 1983.  He then began working for the City of Grafton in the maintenance department, continuing in that capacity until retirement in 1999.  Never one to remain idle, he began working part time with the Grafton Visitors Center for nearly ten years, a perfect fit for man who was often sought out for information, sometimes being referred to as the "Grafton Historian".

His name, Manuel, was significant of his character as he loved manual labor, and was a pillar of a man, not only to his community, his family, but most importantly to his faith.

He married the former Marilyn Beasley on September 25, 1954 in the parsonage of the First Baptist Church in Grafton, and their 71 years of marriage and devotion are an inspiration of a life well lived.

Surviving are his wife, Marilyn, his four children, David Thomas (Debbie) Wright of Fidelity, Rebekah Jane (Charles) Moody of Grafton, Mishael Ann (George) Moody of Elsah and Lois Patricia (David) Rowling of Grafton; 12 Grandchildren, Justin (Lily) Gray, Josh (Miranda) Gray, Justin (Lisa) Moody, Jeremiah Moody, Beth (Ben) Hendricks, Zachariah Moody, Tom (Elisa) Moody, Chuck (Heather) Moody, Jennifer Moody, Bekah (Jake) McAtee, Luke (Tiffany) Rowling, and Georgeann Moody; 29 Great Grandchildren, Christine (Jordan) Cervantes, Vivian Gray, Daniel Gray, Olivia Gray, Esme Gray, Luella Gray, Henry Moody, Marilyn Moody, Olivia Moody, Gwynnevere Moody, Adeleide Moody, Oliver Moody, Emma Moody,  William Moody, Trevor Moody, Andrew Hendricks, Jason Hendricks, Leila Hendricks, Edward Moody, Evelyn Moody, Edmond Moody, Maggie Moody, Charles Moody, Lydia McAtee, Lorelai McAtee, Landon McAtee, Josie Rowling, Fletcher Rowling, and Archer Rowling; 2 Great Great Grandchildren, Leon Cervantes and Saige Cervantes; a sister in-law, Karen Kohne of O'Fallon; along with many nieces and nephews and a dearly loved church family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Samuel Louis Wright on March 25, 1989; a great grandson, James Hendricks; three brothers, Lonnie, Loie and Alvis Wright; and six sisters, Alta Towell, Irene Johnson, Josephine Hill, Eveline King, June Von Kaenel and Lena Mae Johnson.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church in Grafton, where funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday.  Rev. Charles Stratton will officiate.

He will be laid to rest in Scenic Hill Cemetery, Grafton, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the Missions Program of First Baptist Church in Grafton.

Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Memories may be shared at www.crawfordfunerals.com.

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