Wayne Thomas Wright

Wayne Thomas Wright, 74, of Crozet, VA, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at Hospice of the Piedmont’s Acute Care Center in Charlottesville, VA. He was born on March 29, 1949, in Richmond, VA, to the late Willie T. Wright and Marie Chandler Wright. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Joy Marie Wright. Wayne grew up in Short Pump, Virginia and attended J. R. Tucker High School in Henrico; VCU in Richmond, where he majored in Art Education; and later, the University of Virginia, where he took classes in Special Education. He designed logos for businesses and bands in the Richmond area, and he also developed an innovative program at the Calhoun Community Center through Richmond Parks & Rec in which he taught Black History to young people through the medium of silk screen printing. Wayne came to Charlottesville to help set up a new school for special needs students. Initially using his construction skills to renovate one of the buildings for the school, he was the teacher specialist for Art & Music at Burgess Lane/Ivy Creek School. For many years he also worked with Albemarle County Parks and Rec summer camps doing art and music with children. Later, he served as a mentor for adolescent males through Charlottesville League of Therapists. Most recently, Wayne provided music workshops and sing-a-longs for the disabled and elderly at ARC of the Piedmont, Worksource, Post-High, and various nursing homes. He also worked as an after-school teacher at Brownsville Elementary and then at Crozet Elementary. He sincerely enjoyed people of ALL ages, and he always seemed to know how to bring a smile. He frequently played guitar and sang with a local bluegrass group, formed yet another rock band when he was in his 60s, and he felt blessed to be able to use his skills and talents in music, art, and education for the benefit of others. As someone who knew him well recently said, “Wayne, with his larger-than-life personality, made everything more fun just by being there.” He will be missed so very much by his family and friends. Wayne is survived by his two sons, Will T. Wright and Jaxon T. Wright, and by their mother, Lori Trudgeon Wright; two brothers, Craig C. Wright (Susan) and Marc E. Wright (Kelly); a niece, Amanda, and nephew, Benjamin; and by his life partner, Sharon K. Barrett, with whom he made his home for many love-filled years. A Celebration of Life for Wayne T. Wright will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 2 pm to 6 pm at Alder Creek Farm, 2266 Richmond Road, in Troy, Virginia. The dress code is casual, and the wearing of Hawaiian shirts or tie-dye is encouraged! Wayne's musician friends will provide music during the afternoon, so please bring a dish or snacks to share, something to drink, and chairs or blankets to sit on. This is a family-friendly event; children are welcome! You can share your memories of Wayne in a slideshow by emailing digital pictures to Norm at cn.carter745@gmail.com (contact him if you have questions), or by bringing pictures to share on a display board. Please let us know if you plan to attend so we can get some idea of how many people to expect. And please note: This is a working farm, so no dogs are allowed. Come join us as we celebrate the life of this very special man. Peace and Love! If you would like to donate to any organizations in memory of Wayne, please consider the following: Hospice of the Piedmont. We are so very grateful for their excellent care and compassion. https://hopva.org/donate-online-now/ The Front Porch. This non-profit in Charlottesville, Virginia is dedicated to “connecting all of us through music.” https://frontporchcville.kindful.com/ To make a donation to The Front Porch, please choose “general donation,” and add the amount you wish to donate. On the next screen, in the box that asks if this is in honor or in memory of someone, please enter: “In Memory of Wayne Wright” instead of an email address. An online guestbook is available at www.compassionatecremationva.com Compassionate Cremation Services of Ruckersville, VA is handling the arrangements.

Wayne Thomas Wright

March 29, 1949 - January 31, 2024