Daniel M. “Dan” Wright

Daniel M. Wright of Lake St. Louis, MO departed this life, surrounded by love of his wife and family, on February 20, 2014, having reached the age of sixty-nine years, nine months and seventeen days. Dan, as he was known to all, was born in Santa Rosa, CA on May 3, 1944, son of Theodore Philip Wright and Rose Frances Wright nee Goshen. As a young man, he was united in marriage and blessed to have three sons. On March 18, 2000, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Mueller nee Waldo and their families were joined as one.Dan is survived by his wife, Mary Wright of Lake St. Louis, MO; by three sons, Daniel R. Wright, known to some as Giz and to others as Danny, and wife, Amy, of Wentzville, MO, by twins Donald Wright and wife, Stephanie, of Orlando, FL and Douglas Wright and wife, Angela, of O'Fallon, MO; by three step-children, Tamra Mueller of New York, NY, Tema Mueller-Boigner and husband, Brian, of Atlanta, GA and Tyson Mueller and wife, Heaven, of Farmington, MO; by one sister, Judy Crowder and husband, Rick, of Rosheron, TX; by his mother-in-law, Shirley Waldo of Lonedell, MO; by ten grandchildren, Mason Wright of Wentzville, Corbin, Logan and Ashlyn Wright of O'Fallon, Madison Wright of Orlando, Taylor, Ally and Tyler Mueller of Farmington and Bryce and Sarah Boigner of Atlanta; by one uncle, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great and great-great-nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and many, many friends and business associates.Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Frances Wright; and by his father-in-law Russell Waldo.Dan was a Christian and member of Living Lord Lutheran Church of Lake St. Louis, MO. Dan was proud to have served his country in the United States Air Force entering September 10, 1962 and receiving his honorable discharge on August 19, 1964. Dan began his working career at a young age at Oscar Wilson Engines and Parts in O'Fallon, MO. On August 1, 1980, he purchased the business and served as the Chief Executive Officer and Principle Partner. At that time, the company employed six full time employees. He continued to grow and manage the business until his death, which now employs fifty full time employees and has tripled in size. The company is considered one of the premier wholesale distributors by its suppliers and fellow distributors in the outdoor power equipment industry. As an employer, Dan was loved and respected by many in his industry. In 1996 he was featured on the front cover of the St. Louis Business Journal to recognize his accomplishments as a local entrepreneur.Dan was a man that loved life and had many hobbies and interests. He also loved children and as his boys were growing up he enjoyed serving as a coach for their Little League teams. For two decades, he was member, driver and instructor of the Lake St. Louis Water Ski Club. He donated his time and patience to help the "Junior Line" learn to ski and perform and was passionate about his role in the club. He has pulled thousands of skiers behind his boat and has helped mold young skiers into responsible adults. He always told the kids, "Look up, stay up. Look down, fall down." and at the end of the practice he'd tell them, "Now go home and clean your room". Traveling with Mary in his Marathon Motor Coach gave him great joy and they traveled throughout the United States, towing their motorcycles wherever they went, so at their destination they could go for a bike ride. They looked forward to spending their winters on their property in Florida. For several years they enjoyed spending time at the Lake of the Ozarks and later on the Mississippi River, traveling as far as Nashville, TN on their big boat. He was proud to have obtained his Captain's license.Above all else, nothing meant more to Dan than his family and taking care of Mary, his true soul mate, and of course their little Maltese, "Diamond". He was happiest when he was giving and sharing with his family. Nothing made him happier than the time spent with Mary and his children and grandchildren. "His babies" as he affectionately referred to his grandchildren, were special and dear to him and he cherished the time they shared. He was there for grandparents' day and all the special events, as this gave him great joy.A devoted and loving husband, father, father-in-law, step-father, grandpa, step-grandpa, son-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, nephew, uncle, great and great-great-uncle, cousin and friend, he will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved him.
Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Lake St. Louis Water Ski Club Scholarship Fund, 6290 Ronald Reagan Drive #105, Lake St. Louis, MO 63367.