Walter Lee Wright, Ph.D., M.D. was born on March 15th, 1949, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was the son of Dr. James Rhodes Wright, M.D., and Jeanette Bagwell Wright. Dr. Walter Wright died peacefully Thursday afternoon, July 6, 2023.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 15, 2023, from 3-5pm at Edwards Funeral Home, 702 N. Queen St. Kinston, N.C.

Walter lived most of his life in North Carolina in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Kinston. Academic pursuit was a major influence in Walter’s life, and he received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biology from St. Andrew’s College, N.C., a Master’s and Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of New York, Buffalo, and an M.D. from the University of North Carolina with a specialty in Ophthalmology from Duke University. He was a gifted musician and accomplished pianist playing live music through his high school years in the Raleigh area. Later in life, Walter enjoyed flying his 6-passenger Bonanza having received his small craft pilot’s license. Farming was also a passion for Walter who spent countless hours tending to his farm in La Grange, N.C., where he ran a small business growing winter wheat and raising cattle. Professionally, Dr. Wright (often referred to as Dr. Walter) worked as the primary eye surgeon in Kinston for nearly 40 years before retiring to Washington, N.C.

Dr. Wright is survived by his wife Mrs. Deborah Page Wright, his four brothers: Dr. James Wright (Nancy), Mr. Richard Wright, Mr. Charles Wright (Jennings), and Mr. Christopher Wright (Julie), and his children: Ms. Hannah Wright, R.N., Dr. Daniel Wright, Ph.D. (Pauline), and Ms. Molly Wright, R.N.

Dr. Wright was preceded in death by his parents: Dr. James Rhodes Wright, M.D., and Jeanette Bagwell Wright.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center, 1209 Brown St, Washington, NC 27889 or to the Lenoir County SPCA, 2455 Rouse Rd, Kinston, NC 28504.

Arrangements made by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.