"Tommy Wright, what a guy! If you did not know Tommy you would think he's the most arrogant in the world. Standing 6'5" and always having his head tilted back and to the right so his nose was always "up in the air" but super friendly and the consummate professional banker for his entire career. I'll never forget Tommy had moved back to Lynchburg after finishing at Tech and would return on many weekends to visit Pi Kappa. During the Christmas season in about 1968 or so Tommy and his girl had driven from Lynchburg to join us for the Pi Kappa Christmas Party and afterward could not be talked into staying in Blacksburg for the night no matter how many drinks. It began snowing and they still took off in his car back home. When they got to Bedford, this little town gets Christmas decorated annually to the hilt with red, green, and white all over. Tommy, thinking he was stopping for a red light, stopped for a red Christmas decoration and fell asleep while waiting for the light to change about 4 AM. Being luckily awoken by a friendly Bedford policeman, they were spurred on their way to Lynchburg, another 30 minutes away. RIP Mr. Tommy Wright.” - G.A. Baker, Fall '67 3/22/2016

"Pledge Brother, Winter '67 with John Miller, Doug Elder, Dave Thompson, Tom Hallam, Lee Hauser and myself. Tommy was almost 25 years old when he pledged. So, he was bit wiser than the rest of us. Tommy was reserved and picked his words carefully. Some brothers thought that he was arrogant, but that was not the case. He just did not waste his time with nonsense. Tommy was friendly and always willing to help out another Brother. Example, our pledge class trip was to Memphis, TN and there were 7 of us, so, we were facing having to take 2 cars but ourpledge master, Tookie Kern, said only one car. So Tommy colunteered his father's late 50's Desoto. Tommy got a ride to Lynchburg and to our amazement, he returned with the Desoto that could fit 3 up front and 4 in the back (no seat belts in those days). It was a very nice car that we would soon trash.

So after a few beers at the house we pilled in and headed Southwest for Memphis. Tookie gave us two hard requirements. Eash of us needed to get a signature in our pledge book from a girl at Peabody College in Nashville, proof that we actually visited Peabody College, and we had to return with a jar of Mississippi river water, or some proof we made it to Memphis.

Well, somewhere around Oak Ridge, TN, Miller was riding shot gun and realized he had hot water running over his shoes. The heater core was leaking! Soon, the inside of the car steamed up and we had to roll all the windows down. It was cold. After stopping to fill the radiator from a creek using empty beer cans, we found a service station. The operator hot a good laugh at 7 drunks reeling out of a car full of steam and was reluctant to help us due to our level of intoxication. But, he did and rerouted the heater intake hose to the heater exit hose therefore by-passing the heater.

So, we were off to Nashville and Peabody College. Upon arriving at the Peabody campus, a Vanderbilt frat was conducting a party raid. Lots of girls screaming and running around, so, signatures were becoming allusive. Tommy immediately recognized the tactical advantage and raced into one of the girls dorms. The level of screaming increased! Tommy soon returned with three pairs of panties with one pair having Peabody College logo, so we had our proof and split for Memphis.

In Memphis, Lee got the Mississippi river water plus the bonus of a dead Mississippi river rat that shared the jar with the river water. Lee was very proud of that rat and made sure it was displayed on the bar upon our return to Pi Kappa.

The reason for this story about Tommy is that pledge trip is the best memory that I have of Tommy. On that trip, the southern genlteman displayed his kindness, unselfishness, and willingness to help others. I always chuckle about Tommy sprinting into that girl's dorm and returning with trophy panties in hand and a big grin on his face. Tommy will always be on eof my favoite Pledge Brothers.

God Bless you Tommy for sharing a few years with us."- Mike Hammes, Winter '67 3/26/16

Thomas "Tommy" Paige Wright, 59, of Evington passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003, in Lynchburg General Hospital.

Born March 14, 1943, in Lynchburg, he was the son of the late Harry Paige and Evelyn Dickerson Wright.

He was a motel manager and member of Timberlake United Methodist Church. He attended VPI.

Mr. Wright is survived by one son, Christopher Paige Wright of Arlington; a dughter, Kimberly D. Charlton of Lynchburg; and two aunts, Virgie Brown and Lousise Porter, both of Lynchburg; and a dear friend Ruth Wright. He was preceded in death by one brother, Harry Douglas "Bunny" Wright.

Funeral services will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. at Diugid Waterlick Chapel by the Rev. Douglas Pillow. Family visitation will follow the service until 5 p.m. Private interment will be held Monday in Spring Hill Cemetery.