Larry Mark Wright

Larry Mark Wright, 82, of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL passed away peacefully on December 27, 2024, surrounded by his wife and children.

Born on March 3, 1942, in Greenville, SC, Larry grew up in the Brunswick and St. Simons area of Georgia. His early childhood was challenging, as his parents divorced when he was young. Larry and his siblings spent a year at Connie Maxwell Orphanage in SC before he and his brother returned to live with their single mother in Brunswick, who struggled to make ends meet. They assumed residence in the housing projects where Larry learned to fend for himself, hustling to provide food for him and his brother. Despite these hardships, Larry persevered and always remembered the teachers, coaches, and parents of his best friends who saw potential in him and mentored him through these challenging times.

A natural athlete, Larry played football and baseball at Glynn Academy High School in Brunswick and developed a lifelong passion for fitness. He was a lifeguard on the beaches of St. Simons in the summers of high school and told endless stories about those glory days running the streets with Don Croft, Cormac McGarvey, Ronnie Cohen, the Stubbs brothers, and others. After an unsuccessful year at the University of Georgia, Larry decided the best place for him was the military where he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division from 1963 to 1965. He always credited the army for turning his life around and giving him focus for the future. After the military, Larry married and had a young family to support. He enrolled at Valdosta State University where he went on to obtain a master’s in business education. An avid runner, Larry completed thirteen marathons, including the New York Marathon three times, the Chicago Marathon, among others. His dedication to fitness remained steadfast throughout his life, continuing his workouts six days a week into his 80’s.

Larry began his career in education as an Assistant Principal for the Nassau County School System from 1973 to 1978 before transitioning into a successful real estate career. He started with Amelia Island Realty and soon landed at Amelia Island Plantation selling homesites, condominiums and villas for the bulk of his career from the late 70’s to early 90’s. In 1992, remarried and with two young boys, Larry and Edye moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, where he joined Ponte Vedra Beach Realty and later, Lowe Destination Development, and KB Homes. He converted to Catholicism under the guidance of Rev. Msgr. Danaher of Our Lady Star of the Sea and was a man of deep faith. Larry retired from real estate and was a stay-at-home dad for many years. He later found his dream job as a locker room attendant at Sawgrass Country Club, where he delighted members with his engaging personality, warm smile, and endless stories for over a dozen years. He would remain at SGCC until early 2024 when his deteriorating health from a cancer diagnosis in the summer of 2022 forced his hand to retire for the last time.

A passionate sports enthusiast, Larry was a lifelong Georgia Bulldogs fan who relished their recent national championships. His love of sports extended beyond his Dawgs to watching most any SEC team, UCF, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also found joy in attending anything his sons were doing growing up be it karate, acting, soccer, football, or golf tournaments. He loved carrying the chains at the Allen D. Nease football games on Friday nights and was a member of the field painting crew.

Larry is survived by his loving wife, Edye Wright of 36 years; his children, Myles Wright (Hanna Evans), Atticus Wright, and Elliott Wright; his daughters from a previous marriage, Rebecca Rushton of Charleston, SC, and Elizabeth (Libby) Cook of Savannah, GA; his granddaughter, Amelia Rose Wright; and his sister, Sylvia Wagstaff of Land O’Lakes, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jane and Myles, his brother, Jimmy Wright, and brother-in-law, Philip Wagstaff.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday, January 13, 2025 in the Chapel of Quinn Shalz Funeral Home with a Rosary starting at 6:00 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 14, 2025 in Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church with Reverend William Kelly as Celebrant. Interment will follow in Jacksonville National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.

 In honor of Larry, the family requests that everyone wear a touch of red. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund at www.tcjayfund.org/give.

Larry’s remarkable journey from humble beginnings to a life filled with love, success, and joy is a testament to his resilience and determination. His dedication to family, fitness, and his community, along with his infectious enthusiasm for life, will be deeply missed. His legacy lives in the countless lives he touched and inspired and, in his children, who he adored.