Garry LaRue Wright

Garry LaRue Wright was born on April 18, 1953 to James Nolan and Maggie Lee Wright. He a proud resident of the Kenwood neighborhood of San Antonio, Texas. He most recently lived in the Alamo Ranch area and passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026, at the age of 72.

Garry was a man of immense accomplishments. At a young age, his mom and grandparents instilled in him the value of hard work. Starting with a neighborhood paper route and the Civil Air Patrol, he began his journey. He loved sports and graduated from Thomas Edison High School as an accomplished All-City athlete playing football, basketball and track & field. His elite talent on the football field earned him an opportunity to play football at the collegiate level at Blinn Junior College and Lamar University. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Health and Physical Education and as a member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity from Lamar in 1975. It is important to note, Garry was initiated as a Prince Hall Mason at age 18 due to his Grandmother Persia Lee Wright’s affiliation with the Order of the Eastern Star Sweet Naomi Chapter #283. Soon after graduation he got commissioned as an Air Force Officer and began traveling the world in various roles as a Security Police/Law Enforcement Officer, Procurement/Recruitment Officer, and Operations Specialist. Being promoted from 2nd Lieutenant to 1st Lieutenant then Captain and ultimately to Major. This Texan found himself on the cold tundra of Plattsburgh NY, on the sunny beaches of Los Angeles, CA, amidst the prairies of Omaha, NE and at cafes, drinking tea with Turkish men/people of Balikesir and Izmir.

While in Los Angeles, he earned a Masters in School Administration from Pepperdine University in 1982. Somewhere between Omaha and Turkey, he met Lynette Perminter and they married in 1985. With 6 year old Gerard Perminter in tow, Garry and his new family returned to his hometown of San Antonio, TX. Assigned as Commander of the Lackland Air Force Base’s Technical Training Squadron of Lackland Air Force Base which later moved to Camp Bullis. In 1988, his daughter, Monica Ashante Wright, was born and soon after they received orders for Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany; Major Wright would lead as Chief Combat Support Division. After three years in Germany, Major was reassigned to Cameron Station in Alexandria Virgina as Director of the Office of Command Security at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). On June 1, 1994 he retired from the military as a decorated Major that served his country well.

In his post service life, he was known mostly as “Coach Wright” and a sports pillar in the Prince William County, Virginia area. He took on football, basketball and track coaching roles at Potomac High School and Sanunders Middle School. During this stage of life, he was heavily involved in each of his children’s extra-curricular activities,then including travel sports teams, Boy Scouts, college visits and All-American Games.

After getting his daughter through high school, he pivoted and began a career in the federal government, which gave him the flexibility he wanted to attend every UVA Women’s Basketball home game where his daughter played. He went on to attend most of her WNBA games, and thoroughly enjoyed meeting President Obama during the White House visits after her teams won WNBA championships in 2011 and 2013. He was very proud of her many professional accomplishments and loved to share with anyone he met.

In 2015, empty nesters, Garry and Lynette, retired back home to San Antonio, Texas. He was very thankful to be back in San Antonio and able to spend time with his extended family from childhood: the McGaritys, the Barnes, the Colemans, the Washingtons and the Crisps. In retirement, his favorite pastimes where tinkering on his computer, exploring the local food scene and spending quality time with his family. Most recently, he enjoyed following the success of the University of Colorado Football team, coached by Primetime.

He confessed Christ at an early age under the leadership of Rev J.C. Bailey where he was a faithful member of Saint John Baptist Church of Olmos Park.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Maggie Lee King, grandmother, Persia Moore Wright, and grandfather, Larkin Wright.

Garry is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Lynette Wright, his two beloved children, Gerard Perminter, Monica Wright Rogers, his son-in-law, Michael Craig Rogers and his grandson, McKale LaRue Rogers who will forever carry his spirit in their hearts. His family was his greatest treasure, and he found his happiest moments in their company.

Garry’s legacy is one of excellence in all facets of his life. The one thing he never compromised during his ascension was his integrity and the way he treated and valued people. He taught those around that all humans deserve to be treated with respect, and he held himself to the highest of standards. His impact will echo through the generations to come.