Ricky Wright, district director for U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Midland) and two-time graduate of Tarleton, died in Comanche Aug. 1 after a battle with brain cancer. He was 53.

As district director, Wright represented Conaway at district events, handled media requests, attended to constituent issues and supervised five offices and staff within Conaway’s sprawling 36-county 11th Congressional District. He joined the congressman’s staff in 2005.

Prior to his work with Conaway, Wright worked more than 20 years in business marketing and sales. He worked for nine years at Big Country Saddlery in Del Rio, with positions including general manager, vice president and president. He also served as president of Wright Belts Inc. in Comanche, a family business that his father created. He expanded Wright Belts into an international corporation.

Wright was born in Stephenville and grew up in Comanche where he graduated from high school in 1977. He earned a bachelor of science degree in education and business from Tarleton in 1981 and returned later to earn a master of science in information systems in 2001.

“He was 110 percent purple and it was always evident that he loved Tarleton,” said Dan Hunter, a friend and director of Tarleton’s Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research. “He always said to me that he stayed at Tarleton as long as he could to make sure that he could spend the maximum time allowed. He was one of the really good guys.”

The family will receive friends at Comanche Funeral Home on Friday, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Comanche Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Comanche.

If desired, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Comanche Public Library.