David Wright

David Lynn Wright of Hendersonville, Tennessee, died on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, resulting from complications associated with Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), also known as pre-leukemia. He passed away in the palliative care unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Hospital in the company of family and friends. He was 57.

David was born on June 12, 1960 in Paragould, Arkansas, to Ray and Ann Wright. He was the only boy in a family with three sisters. He graduated from Harding University in December of 1983, with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management. Upon graduation, he began working in the undergraduate admissions office at Harding. During this time he met and married Melanie Kay Park, in March of 1984. They moved to Tallahassee, Florida in 1988 where he received a masters and completed the doctoral coursework for his PhD in Higher Education at Florida State University. Over a four year timespan from 1994 to 1999, the couple welcomed two children into their family and David set about teaching them the compassion, hard work, and skills that would prepare them for the life ahead. His children remember him as a driven, brilliant, loving man and a patient father who encouraged them to pursue their goals.

David was the Senior Policy Advisor at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. He served as the agency's chief policy officer and focused on collecting higher education data with student success. David was a nationally recognized expert on state higher education policy and was well known for his accomplishments in institutional research. He worked in this field until his death, trying to make the field of higher education better for everyone involved.

In addition to his successful career, David was a creative soul that found enjoyment as a musician. He was a talented pianist and vocalist who enjoyed performing and songwriting as well. He was a hard-working individual who loved the arts and he was passionate about exploring and experiencing various cultures. He was an active and dedicated member of the various church communities in which he lived. During David and Melanie's time at Meridian Woods Church of Christ, they mentored young couples. David led worship when he attended Hendersonville Community Church and sang in the choir at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Chattanooga.

David is survived by his children, Aaron Wright and his wife, Katelyn, of Knoxville, Tennessee and Abbey Wright of Hendersonville, Tennessee. Other survivors include his mother, Ann Wright of Searcy, Arkansas; two sisters and their husbands, Donna and John Baines and Susan and Glenn Dillard, all of Searcy; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Melanie Wright, his father, Ray A. Wright, and his sister, Barbara Moore. He is now, truly reunited with his wife of 26 years and in the arms of our Heavenly Father.

David's memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 27th, at 2:00 PM, (CST), at The Loveless Barn, 8400 TN-100, Nashville, TN. Afterwards, there will be food and fellowship with the family. All are welcome to attend and celebrate David's life together.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the David Wright Memorial Fund, First Tennessee Bank, 216 Indian Lake Blvd, Hendersonville, TN 37075 (Attn: Ronnie Bass). This fund is to help Aaron and Abigail Wright with education and funeral expenses.

Hendersonville Memory Gardens, Funeral Home, & Cremation Center is honored to celebrate the life of Mr. David Wright. hendersonvillefh.com, 353 E. Main St. Hendersonville, TN 37075, (615) 824-3855.