Raymond Bruce Wright

Raymond Bruce Wright, 86, of Oakville, IN, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2024, at The Waters of New Castle, Indiana.

He was born in Constantine, Michigan, on April 1, 1938, to Raymond Milton Wright and Mary Catherine Hall. He attended grade school in Michigan before moving to Indiana. He then attended Muncie Community Schools, graduated from Cowan High School in 1956, and attended Ball State University.

Bruce married the love of his life, Barbara Kay Lee, on October 25, 1958, at the home of his bride in Byrdstown, TN. Together they raised their family and built a life full of love and great memories. The devotion and love between them was incredible. 

After driving for Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, Bruce worked as a machine repairman for 37 years and served as a committeeman at Borg Warner before retiring in 1993.

Bruce was a member of First Brethren Church of Oakville, UAW Local 287 Sympathy Club, and a former member of Monroe Township Advisory Board and Monroe Township Conservation Club.

Bruce loved to fish, especially at Lake Monroe in Bloomington and at his Uncle Carl’s in Michigan. He also was a great bowler competing in the UAW Local 287 league for many years. One sport in which he excelled the most was softball. Bruce played fast-pitch softball for Creviston Steel for several years, pitching many no-hitters. His success as a pitcher earned him a spot in the Delaware County Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992. Bruce was a lifetime member of Maplewood Golf Club where he was an avid golfer for over 50 years, with several holes in one and many Club Championship victories.

Bruce loved his family. His favorite role in life was that of a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was present at nearly every event for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The support and love he has always shown to his family was unwavering. Wonderful memories of “Pappy” will live on in the hearts of all of those who loved him.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 66 years, Barbara Kay (Lee) Wright, his children, David (Lisa) Wright and Dinah Breedlove, of Muncie, IN; grandchildren, Jasmin White, Jade Wright, Jenna Wright, Tessa Wright, Kelci (Seth) Wright, Matthew Van Dam, Parker (Ashley) Breedlove, Nicole (Ty) Harty; great-grandchildren, Preston, Phenyx, Gavin, Jase, Daisy, Cayley, Destiney, Gracelyn, Grace, Gideon, Valerie, Stetson, Jocelyn, Rosanna; great-great-grandchildren, Bryson and Hudson; brothers-in-law, Jim Lee and Leon King; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Clayton, and Rose Lee; sister, Mona Lee; brother, Jack Wright; sisters-in-law, Donna King, and Pat Wright; and nephew Randy Wright.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Waters of New Castle for their care, kindness, and compassion during the final weeks of Bruce’s life. In keeping with his wishes, there will be no public services. A private family celebration will be held at a later date. Indiana Funeral Care has been entrusted to carry out his wishes.

Memorial donations can be sent to Delaware County Athletic Hall of Fame Scholarship Fund, Attn: Francis Lafferty Hall of Fame Scholarship, P.O. Box 425, Muncie, IN 47305.