Jerome Thomas Wright passed away with loved ones by his side April 28, 2024. Jerry was born on November 18,1947 in Rapid City, SD. His proud parents were Ellery Raymond Wright (aka Bosco) and Cecilia Mary Gannon Wright. Jerry was one of seven children. He succumbed to an aggressive cancer which he fought to the very end. He was a devout Catholic as a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, serving on the Parish Council and several committees over the years. His faith was very important to him.

Jerry graduated from Rapid City High School in 1966. He attended SDSM&T and earned a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering in 1971. Jerry went on to earn a Masters in Planning & Finance at Purdue University in 1974. In 2019 at the age of 71 Jerry came out of school retirement and earned a PhD in Civil Engineering at SDSM&T.

Jerry served 27 years in the military and was very proud to be a Veteran. He received many honors and awards during his service with the military. He attended ROTC at the SDSM&T and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers in 1971 and served several years in the Army Reserves. In 1980 he was assigned to the 109th Engineer Group, South Dakota Army National Guard, as a civil engineer and later became the communications officer. He had several assignments including those overseas in Japan and South Korea. He retired from the Army National Guard in 1993 and from USAR December 1997. In November 2006 he was recalled to active duty for Operation Iraqi Freedom stationed in Kuwait. This assignment meant a lot to Jerry to be honored to wear the uniform for his country one more time. He then re-retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army in 2007.

Jerry owned Wright & Sons Construction from 1975 to 1986. In 1987 he became the Superintendent of Streets & Sanitation for the City of Rapid City. Then in 1992 he became the Superintendent of Solid Waste. Jerry introduced modern landfilling, yard waste composting, recycling, garbage composting, and automated garbage to Rapid City. It's estimated his innovative methods extended the life of the landfill by over 50 years. Jerry retired from the City of Rapid City after 20 years of service in 2010. Jerry was elected to the Rapid City Council in 2011 winning Ward 3. Councilman Wright served a total of three terms during which he also served as Council President. Jerry served his community with great pride.

Trains, heavy equipment and bears were all strong passions for Jerry from when he was a child all the way to his last stop. He worked his dream summer job in 1969 and 1970 in Deer Lodge, MT for Milwaukee Railroad and remembered these days fondly. He continued his love of trains volunteering at the SD Railroad Museum in Hill City and catching a ride on the rail whenever he could. Jerry was great with bears and it was not uncommon to have a conversation with Jerry and Dumpy or Miranda or whatever stuffed animal was nearby.

Jerry married Vesper Matson Rau in 1977. He gained a family with her two children Dana and Angie whom he adopted. From this marriage four more children, Patrick, Thomas, Robert, and Kathryn were born. This marriage ended in 1997. Jerry married Patricia Lang in 2002 and added her two children, Beth and Becky, to the family. He and Patricia enjoyed Friday night date nights and traveling the world. They had many adventures and traveled many miles together exploring the world and visiting family. They visited Italy, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Mexico, and made several trips to Canada. Most recently, traveling on the St. Lawrence River last fall. A couple highlights were trips to Disneyland, Yellowstone and Thermopolis with all the kids and grandkids in tow.

Jerry was survived by his wife, Patricia, and her children Beth (Nikki) Johnson and Becky (Dusty) Germo, sons Dana Wright, Patrick Wright, Tom Wright (Melanie) and Robert Wright (Janel) and daughters Angie Wright and Kathryn Wright, 21 grandchildren: Kaitlyn (Bobby), Max (Alyona), Gracee, Abbi, Sophia, P.J., Tanner, Huntley, Vera, Ben, Alex, Alyssa, Aleah, Tennille, Anya, Rook, Dax, Jayden, Jayce, Jaycob, Jayla; 7 great grandchildren: Robert, Peyton, Lucas, Taylor, Lane, Carolyn, and Elizabeth. Brothers and sisters surviving him are Larry Wright (Yetta), Colleen Marvin (Terry), Mike Wright (Pam), and Sheila Johnson. Plus the many beloved nephews and nieces that he adored. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers Patrick and Thomas.

Visitation is at Blessed Sacrament Church on Sunday, May 5th from 4pm to 6pm with a Vigil and Sharing of Memories following. Funeral mass will take place Monday, May 6th at 10am at Blessed Sacrament Church with lunch to follow. Burial with military honors will follow the luncheon at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the SD Railroad Museum in Hill City, Humane Society of the Black Hills (Kitty City was one of his favorite places to take his children and grandchildren for a needed visit with the animals) or plant a tree in his memory.