Kelly Wright

Kelly Eugene Wright was born on, June 25, 1970 in Kansas City Missouri to the parents of, Beverly J. Wright and James A. Wright, which both have preceded him in death. Kelly’s father, James, passed away when Kelly was six years old, leaving his mother, Beverly, to raise all five of her children, with her being the foundation, structure and the rock of the family. The bond and love that Kelly had for his mother was not only inseparable in life, but in death as well. As Beverly got her wings on September 28, 2021 and Kelly got his wings on October 4, 2021.

Kelly was a people person, he never met a stranger. Everybody he met was called “Fam” for family or "Nephews" for younger guys. Kelly could lift up anybody and light up a room with his smile and it wasn’t due to the diamonds / gold teeth, it was his genuine heart and loving spirit. He could be a jokester at times because he loved to smile and laugh and make others laugh. 

Kelly was a spiritual person, he accepted Christ early in his life. He knew the Lord and had a personal relationship with God. He didn’t have a church home prior to his passing, but he often visited his late grandmother’s church, Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church of Kansas City, Mo.

Kelly attended Parker for his elementary studies, Smith-Hale for his middle school studies, and Ruskin for his high school studies.

Kelly was employed at Keebler / Kellogg company as a baker before being laid off. He also worked at Price Chopper as a lead night stocker and it was there during a night shift that a regular customer/manager of Shell Gas company noticed that Kelly was always upbeat and friendly and as a result Kelly was hired on the spot to work night shifts as a lead clerk. He also worked at multiple Shell Gas Station in Raytown, Independence, and the Missouri area.  

Kelly was the baby boy of the five children born to Beverly. He leaves behind his beloved sister, Stacey Herd of Dallas, Texas. They shared the love of skating, laughter, and a closeness bigger than the world itself. I could always depend on Kelly to be by my side, and he was always available by phone no matter the time or day 24/7, I could reach out to my brother.

His partner in sports was his brother, James Wright of Kansas City, Missouri (Kelly refer to him as “Biggums”). They shared playing little league football and baseball together and their love for sports followed into adulthood as Kelly could always depend on his brother James to cook Rotel w/ chips or Spaghetti while they watched a Sunday night football game together or simply just played a game of dominos together; his sister, Tina (John) Morris of Independence, Missouri who is the oldest of us five, who has always been the guiding light of the family and who Kelly looked too when he needed help with any of his business affairs; as well as, his oldest brother, Michael Herd of Kansas City, Missouri, (Kelly referred to him as “Mook”) who shared a special bond that only those two could identify with. No matter what the conversation would be about with those two, Michael always told Kelly he loved him and hugged him. It was Kelly who immediately flew to Atlanta, Georgia to be at his brother's side while he was in hospital after a bad accident.

Kelly was very family- oriented, he loved his family. He especially loved his only daughter, Keyonna K. Wright, and was very proud of her. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her. He cherished and leaves behind her daughter, his only granddaughter, Paris S. L. Wright, who was the apple of his eye and the center of his heart. Kelly was so proud to be a dad and granddad.

Kelly also leaves behind one uncle, William Herd Jr. (Mary) of Brown Deer, Wisconsin; his beloved nieces, nephews, a host of cousins all of whom he loved so much and enjoyed spending time with, and a host of friends he had known since elementary and middle school.

Kelly will be greatly missed. Our family is not saying goodbye, but rather we will see you one day.    

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