Henry Durbin Wright

Henry Durbin Wright, a steadfast ranch hand and beloved family member, departed this world on September 1, 2024, leaving a legacy of kindness and warmth. Born on December 28, 1941, in Huntington, Texas, Henry embodied the spirit of the rugged yet gentle heart of the Lone Star State. His hands, weathered by years of labor, told the tale of over thirty dedicated years as a ranch hand at the Sands Ranch, coupled with several more years devoted to Kaufman County. In every task he undertook, he poured his strength and dedication, a testament to his unwavering work ethic.

The world around him was brightened by his welcoming personality. Known for his generous spirit and readiness to lend a helping hand, he found joy in connecting with others. Henry cherished simple pleasures—watching westerns on television and taking his grandson, Austyn, to the movies created cherished memories that will endure long after his passing. However, it was on Thursday evenings at 49er's in Seven Points where he truly danced through life, relishing the rhythm and the camaraderie found on the dance floor with his friends.

His family, a crucial part of his being, remembers him fondly. Surviving him are his loving daughter, Shirley Byrd and husband Bobby, a special friend, Chris Stegall, who stood by his side through thick and thin. The laughter of grandchildren, Mack Brewer, Laura Brewer, and Austyn Byrd resonates in their hearts, while the joyful smiles of great-grandchildren Eli Brewer, Ashia Brewer, and Adian Brewer bring light to their lives. Several nieces and nephews, too, carry his memory forward.

Yet, woven into the fabric of his story are threads of sorrow—deceased family members who shaped him into the man he became. His cherished daughter, Jewel Pirtle, along with beloved siblings Ethel Evans, Ruthie Braggs, Pearly Mae Patterson, and Alline Wright, have gone before him, as have brothers Billy Ray, H.W. Ray, and Bobby Lee Wright. His parents, Roy John Wright and Lura Allie McKnight, also watch over him in the quiet of remembrance.

Henry's visitation will be held on September 5, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Anderson-Clayton Bros. Funeral Home in Kemp, Texas. A graveside service will follow at Pyle Prairie Cemetery on September 6, 2024, at 11:00 AM, where his family and friends will gather to pay their final respects and celebrate the life of a man whose laughter echoed through the ages and whose love was a gift to all who knew him. As Henry takes his place among the stars, he leaves behind a profound emptiness tempered by countless beautiful memories—proof that a life well-lived resonates eternally in the hearts of those who remain while he is now with the Lord.