Frank Hiram Wright Iii

Frank Hiram Wright III, 68, went home to Jesus Thursday, October 5, 2023 surrounded by his family.

He was born to Frank Hiram Wright II and Naomi Loran Wright on August 22, 1955 in Louisville, KY.  An only child, young Frank developed a strong sense of loyalty and duty towards his mother, traits that defined him in adulthood.  He graduated from Jeffersonville High School in 1973. He attended Indiana University Southeast where he played basketball, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, and sporting a mop of curly hair, found time to boogie down to his favorite funk tunes. After a trip to Colorado, Frank was ready to move out West, but his plans changed when he met Tammy Cravens who became his wife of 41 years. Frank made a career of teaching and coaching, pouring into the lives of middle school, high school and college athletes at Borden, New Washington, Jeffersonville, Indiana University Southeast, and Mercer County, KY. He had a brief sabbatical, venturing into the insurance world as an agent for American Family Insurance before confirming his true calling.  He returned to the teaching and coaching profession at Floyd Central, South Oldham and Ballard where he retired as teacher and girls basketball coach in 2016.

Along with his wife Tammy, he is survived by his three daughters and their husbands Emily Wathen (Andrew), Rachel Riley (Matthew), Madelyn Wyatt (Samuel), and his eight grandchildren Tyler, Ava, Eva, Naomi, Piper, Sloane, Simon and Benjamin with another due in early Spring.

Frank was a faithful follower of Jesus and had served as deacon at Westport Road Baptist Church. In his retirement he enjoyed golfing with friends, spending time with his grandchildren courtside or elsewhere, traveling with his wife, beach vacations and frequenting culinary dives for pleasure and for “research”.

His grandchildren will remember him as a patient coach, good listener, personal tutor, steadfast supporter, story teller, tickle monster and most of all, their beloved Papaw.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Fellowship of Christian Athletes or Westport Road Baptist Church. Visitations will be held at Grayson Funeral Home 893 High St, Charlestown, IN on Wednesday, October 11th from 3:00 to 8:00 and at Westport Road Baptist Church 9705 Westport Rd. Louisville, KY on Thursday, October 12th from 2:00 to 6:00 followed immediately by the memorial service.