Kenneth L. Wright, 89 of Laurinburg, originally from Stockton, Calif., died on Saturday, March 9, 2013 surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held at the Penick Village south-side chapel in Southern Pines on Saturday, March 16 at 2:30 p.m.

Ken leaves behind his brother Stan Wright and wife Sally of Stockton, Calif., son Steven A. Wright and daughter-in-law Colleen of Pacifica, Calif., his daughter-in-law Kathy Wright of Wagram, his three grandchildren: Torin Wright and wife Susan of Seven Lakes, Tamara Spurgeon of Clovis, Calif., and Timon Wright of San Francisco, Calif., and his five great-grandchildren: Trevor Spurgeon, Keegan Spurgeon, and Sutton Spurgeon all of Clovis and Samara Wright and Tylor Wright of Seven Lakes.

Kenneth was born in Lodi, Calif. on May 12, 1923. He and his wife Mary moved to Stockton, Calif. and had two sons: Gary Wright, former choral professor at UNC Pembroke, and Steven Wright. Ken worked as a pest controller for the Sharpe Army Depot in Stockton. He and Mary moved to North Carolina in 1997.

Ken’s passions were gardening, making new friends, and going fishing with his grandchildren. He was an active member of the Shriners; he dressed up as “Bumble Bee” and raised hundreds of dollars to help the children at the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Penick Village P.O. Box 2001 Southern Pines, NC 28388-2001.

Online condolences may be left at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.

Boles Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. of Southern Pines will be assisting the family.