W. Reid Wright

W. Reid Wright, 83, of Fulton, Missouri, passed away at his home on Friday, January 8, 2021. He was born in Callaway County on March 5, 1937, to the late Lorenz Reid Wright and the late Virginia (Chism) Wright Miller. Reid was united in marriage to Yulanda Sharon Wright on December 20, 2007. She will dearly miss and lovingly remember this man who often said to her with a sly grin, "you keep me amused". He will be deeply missed by his daughter, Nikki Cherry, husband Mike Cherry; his granddaughter, Breana Abbott; and his great-grandchildren, Caleb and Treasure Abbott, all of The Woodlands, Texas; bonus daughter, Angie Thurman and son, Tyler of Gilbert, Arizona; bonus son, Carl Hott of Fulton, Missouri; bonus daughter, Denise Drew (Charles) and daughter Aryanna of Jefferson City, Missouri; estranged daughter, Teresa Reuter (Mark); and children, MacKenzie Charles (Micha), Drew Reuter (Alexandra), Nataleigh Hensley (Josh); Sydni Reuter; and great-grandchildren. Reid attended Fulton High School until 1952, when he went to work full time for International Shoe Company. He joined the Missouri National Guard unit at age 18 while employed by Harbison Walker Refineries and then Samuel Shoe Company until 1962. He acquired his GED in 1960, while continuing in the National Guard as a Staff Sergeant E-6 and was the recipient of an Outstanding Achievement Award in 175th Military Police Battalion. From 1960-1963, he was also an Auxiliary Police officer for the Fulton Police Department. Reid served in the National Guard until 1963, and then re-enlisted again in 1974 until 1982, both times receiving an Honorable Discharge. At age 26, Reid officially joined the Fulton Police Department. By 1968, he was promoted to Police Sergeant. At this same time, he received training to become the handler for the Fulton Police Department's first Police dog, "Fritz". Reid and Fritz were also available as needed to the Callaway County Sheriff's Department and were well received by the public as shown by the numerous financial donations given for Fritz's care. Reid attended college from 1966-1974, earning 82 credit hours taking classes such as criminal law, management, law enforcement, behavior psychology and crisis intervention. In 1971, Reid became the 13th Judicial Court Chief Deputy Juvenile Officer serving Boone and Callaway counties. He enjoyed helping juvenile offenders turn their lives around, receiving many thank you letters from parents of the juveniles and later from the young adults he had helped as children. He worked tirelessly for them and soon implemented a new program between his office and William Woods and Westminster Colleges in order to provide the juveniles with more assistance. Under Reid's supervision, college students chosen from an application pool were able to earn credit hours while receiving training to help the offenders. The student would then volunteer one hour per week to apply that training to an assigned juvenile offender by being their advisor, friend and helper in the process of improving their behaviors, family relationships and support systems. The repeat offender rate dropped from 60% to 27%. Eventually, Reid wanted to get out of law enforcement to earn more income so in 1976, he began working at the Callaway Nuclear Plant and then went on to work as a skilled painter in Missouri and Illinois until retiring in 1992. Upon retirement, he pursued his love of woodworking by refinishing furniture and painting for enjoyment as well as spending more time working on his farm. When Reid and Sharon married, they enjoyed farm work together including gardening, canning, cutting firewood, working in the yard, and raising cattle and chickens. Reid loved the out of doors with fishing becoming his favorite past time. Trout fishing at nearby Montauk State Park was the preferred location for he and Sharon and their friends to frequently meet. Fishing in the mornings and card games in the evenings made for much laughter and great memories. Reid and Sharon also enjoyed traveling with friends to over 35 states and Canada in the years before he became ill. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the Central Christian Church Cemetery with Pastor Bruce Williamson officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Central Missouri Honor Flight, c/o Maupin Funeral Home, 301 Douglas Boulevard, Fulton, MO 65251. Condolences may be left for the family at www.maupinfuneralhome.com.