Curtis M. Wright, of Oxnard and Palm Desert, Calif., died March 22 at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, Calif., after a sudden illness. He was 49—and the devoted life partner of Mark Peloquin for nearly 14 years.
Born in Marion, Iowa, on Dec. 12, 1959, Wright was the son of Esther (Stoos) Wright and the late Dr. Thomas Wright of Marion. He was raised in Marion and had resided in Omaha, Neb.; Chicago; Palm Desert; and, most recently, Oxnard. He was a graduate of Linn-Mar High School and was very active on the gymnastics team.
Wright was a dedicated employee for 25 years with Travel and Transport Inc., working for the past 20 years as an international rate specialist. He was an active member of the Church of Religious Science in Palm Springs. He was very passionate about cooking and all would agree, a meal prepared by Curtis was certainly a memorable and a delicious experience. In addition, Curtis was very much the world traveler.
He also was very involved with his community as well, a dedicated volunteer with Greater Palm Springs Pride Inc., as well as Team Greater Palm Springs Inc, a non-profit organization that brought 85 athletes from the Coachella Valley to the Gay Games in Chicago in 2006. While residing in Chicago, Wright was very active with Horizons Community Center, working for many years on its help line. An avid volleyball player, he was a member of the Windy City Athletic Association, as well as Front Runners/Front Walkers for many years.
In addition to Peloquin, he leaves a stepson, Jordan Peloquin of Chicago; five brothers—Craig Wright of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Keith Wright of Marion, Dave (Anne) Williams of DeWitt, Iowa, Kevin Wright (Lauri) of Houston, Texas, and Christopher Wright (Stacia) of Marion; and 11 nieces and nephews.
“A Celebration of Life” will be held Saturday, April 11, at 12 p.m. at Unity Chicago, 1925 W. Thome. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Curtis M. Wright Memorial Scholarship, established for a deserving student interested in the Culinary Arts. Make your tax-deductible contribution payable to: Career Education Scholarship Fund, 2895 Greenspoint Parkway, Hoffman Estates, Ill., 60169: Restricted for the Curtis M. Wright Memorial Scholarship.