NCBA-Hall of Fame

January 22, 2007

Mr. Ramon Bell
President – North Carolina Bowhunters Association

Fellow Sportsman,

It is with deep sadness that I prepare this letter to you concerning the passing of our good friend and fellow bowhunter, J.R. Wright. This man, during the course of his 54 year life and some 25 year archery business, has promoted the cause of bowhunting and target archery to thousands of people in North Carolina and Virginia. His professionalism and embracing personality attracted youth of all ages to the archery world. His name became synonymous with bowhunting and his knowledge of archery equipment was unmatched. The loss of J.R. Wright to the bowhunting world, the town of Eden, and the surrounding counties of North Carolina and Virginia will never be replaced. I heard it said at the family visitation by a respected Eden resident that “Never has the community experienced the loss of such an individual that has contributed so much and can never be replaced.”

To honor the memory of his legacy, his support of the NCBA mission of bowhunter education, and his contributions to the cause of bowhunting and target archery, I would ask that the leaders and members of the NCBA consider the establishment of the “J.R. Wright Memorial Bowhunter Education Fund.” This fund’s principle, generated through contributions of various individuals and groups, will remain untouched, allowed to build accordingly under the management of the designated NCBA leadership, and the interest be used to support bowhunter education programs throughout North Carolina. The distribution of these available education funds would be determined by a designated board and the NCBA president.

The memory of J.R. Wright should instill in us of the need to make every day count for something positive since we are never promised tomorrow. This memorial fund will insure that his legacy and contributions to bowhunting will continue to be remembered by future generations.

Please consider this proposal and discuss with your fellow officers and directors of NCBA. Let us not let the memory pass, but offer support to the things that J.R. Wright endorsed in life. I will offer the first one hundred dollars to initiate the beginning of this memorial fund.

Sincerely,

C. Victor French

DONORS:
We extend our sincerest thanks to all who contribute to this fund in JR's name. Donors are listed in the order their donations are received.

C. Victor and Janet C. French (2007, 2008); Tommy Kimball; Ramon N. Bell; Michael E. Ingold; Fred & Jean Walker; Connie Morton; Terry W. & Regina S. Chaney;Tammy L. Sexton; Buron Lanier & Lanier Hardware and Rental; David & Sharon Reece; Carla G. Holt; Jason Wright; Joel Tate; Beth Sacrinity; Brian Bailey; John Tuttle; Richard Shields;Trey Pryor; Robbie Pryor; Ramie Wright; Don Wright; Ralph Friddle; Roger Nieman; Chad Joyce; Peyton Smith; Ryan Tilley; Butch Talley; Zack Long; Josiah Slaydon; Rodney Carter;lemons; Dusty Lucas; Gary Clark; Runt Cockman; Tim McCrickard; Cedric Lea; Chris Shelton; Warren Parrish; Elmer (Jr) & Anita Hagood, and Brandie Hagood Turner; Wesley W. and Susan S. Priddy; Junior Gregory; Randy & Karen Mabe; Maria M. Bell; Barry Slaughter; Tonnie Davis; Gene & Judy Redmond; GPAA (Greater Piedmont Archery Association-2007); Jeffrey Morrison; Southern Sharp Spurs Chapter-NWTF (2008);.

Total Donations to date: $2,673.00

TESTIMONIALS; COMMENTS;
Anyone having a testimonial, comment or just a short story to tell of their affiliation with JR Wright is encouraged to send them to us HERE. We will try to publish all of them below.

Click HERE to view and read an article written by Randy Mabe and published in the Greensboro News & Record (1/28/2007)

I will never be able to express in words how much all your prayers, cards, and special thoughts have meant to me. The outpouring of your love and support has just been a tremendous blessing. “Thank You” just doesn’t seem to be enough.

JR touched so many lives through his archery business. So many kids he mentored that grew up to be such find men and women that grew up to love the outdoors and to love the sport of archery are now bringing their children in to shoot bows and to love the sport of bow hunting. This is what JR loved. JR took so many friends and kids hunting. They all wanted to hunt with JR because he made it so much fun. Some of mine and JR’s best times together was when we were in Burgaw hunting with Vic French, well, he, Vic, and Buren Lanier would hunt, myself and Janet (Vic’s wife), would go shopping !! JR always fussed about how many pairs of shoes I have!! But, we did love to turkey hunt together. We spent many evenings listening to the turkeys go to roost and getting up before daylight to make it to our blind on time (and I am not a morning person). I got my first turkey with JR calling him in for me (he was a great turkey caller). I was so nervous and I was shaking so badly, he told me about 10 times to shoot. Finally, I did. Of course, JR had him mounted for me and Vic did a beautiful job. JR loved telling on me as to how nervous I was.

JR was a great Christian man. He always invited everyone to come to church with him, if you didn’t attend somewhere else. He so loved telling everyone how much God has blessed him and how much God could bless them if they gave him a chance. As much as my heart hurts, as much as I loved JR and as much as I know he loved me, I know beyond a shout of a doubt that he is safely in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ and I know I will see him again one day.

God Bless You All – Keep Shooting Your Bows – Keep JR In Your Heart & Memories !!

Much Love,
Connie Morton (Jan. 30, 2007)

JR Wright created a business, but little do he know it "is" his "living" legacy. I was his apprentice. He taught me the art, craft, and skill, yes, of bows, arrows, and the hunt. But, most of all, he guided me into manhood. JR's patrons were his second family. He trained all of us in the most important pursuit of life, that of christian fellowship and servance to our Lord Jesus Christ. "The Shop," as we all call it, is a very special place, a haven to learn, practice, and to become geniune friends, bowhunters, and " good men." JR was God's creation and we were his fellow travelers. Now, as I continue to set up bows, fletch arrows, teach youngsters, and follow his lead at JR's Archery, I take with me the man himself. JR will always be with me as I scout the woods and help run his shop. I will continue to walk in his footsteps. Yes, my friends, we are all his "living" legacy. I love you, JR, and I thank God for your kindness, for being my mentor, and becoming my second father. My sorrow upon his death is deep, but I know he still pats my shoulders.

With deep admiration, respect, and love,

Peyton Smith,"Peanut" (Jan. 31, 2007)

AS A CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON AT PAPE'S ARCHERY FOR 17 YEARS, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO MEET AND TALK TO A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE. AS WE GO THROUGH LIFE WE MAKE A LOT OF FRIENDS ON OUR OWN AND THEN GOD COMES ALONG AND GIVES US A FEW REALLY GOOD ONES. HE GAVE ME JR. I ONLY SAW HIM PROBABLY 2 OR 3 TIMES IN ALL THOSE YEARS, BUT I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH HIM 2 OR 3 TIMES A DAY. I HAD TO LEAVE PAPE'S BECAUSE OF PARKINSONS BUT I STILL KEPT IN TOUCH WITH HIM.. I WILL MISS HIS JOKES, HIS SOUTHERN VOICE, BUT MOST OF ALL I WILL MISS HIS SINCERITY AND HIS THOUGHTFULNESS FOR OTHERS.. I WILL PROBABLY MISS HIM FOREVER. I AM SORRY NORTH CAROLINA FOR YOUR LOSS. HES OFF DANCNG WITH ANGELS. JOYCE ABNER, LOUISVILLE KY (Feb. 6, 2007)

My husband and I have many memories of JR. My husband, Jr. Hagood, has known JR ever since they were small chaps as Elmer calls them, in grade school. They were the best of friends. JR was our daughter's ( Brandie) godfather. He loved Brandie and took her under his wing. He taught her to roller skate when she just was barely walking. He bought her the first pair of skates and she loved to go to JR's and skate every weekend that we could go. JR got her involved in shooting a bow and she had a lot of laughs with JR, and he laughed right along with her. She went fishing with her daddy and JR many times and she loved being out there somewhere on a boat catching a big fish with them. My Jr. and JR went many places together. Canada bear hunting, fishing more times than I can remember and having what Jr. Hagood called covert operations while they were trapping wild animals. They had a lot of fun together and sometimes would forget what time it is and forget about getting home so the I ( Anita) could go to work. It's funny how they could forget all about the time and that it's dark and someone has to be at work at Dupont at midnight and they can't even get off the lake and get home so I could go to work and not leave our small daughter at home by herself. Believe me, the two of them were in the doghouse with me more times than I can count. My Jr. would always blame JR for not leaving early enough to get home on time. He said they were having such a great time catching fish, that they just couldn't stop. I would be so mad at them two and they would be laughing about it. JR let me hunt out of his tree stands and a few times I would shoot a deer and they had a great time making me field dress my deer while they stood around laughing at me. He always said, your deer, your field dress job. I said, but I don't have a knife, and you have never seen so many knives come whipping out for me to use. JR will be greatly missed by all of us. His laughter, his funny stories , and the love he showed us will be forever remembered. We will see him again someday. We love you JR.
With All Our Love,
Elmer(Jr.), Anita & Brandie Hagood Turner; Spencer,Virginia..... (Feb. 19, 2007)

JR was a wonderful role model for my children. I also considered him part of the family. My daughter would have never learned to shoot a bow without JR and Connie's help. My son Coy thoroughly enjoyed going to JR's to shoot his bow and to help JR in anyway he could, at the Christmas parties, Annual Cooks, anything. He was JR's little shadow. He took Coy hunting several times and they had so much fun together. JR always was laughing at Coy. Every time that Coy and JR talked on the phone, they always said "I love you" before hanging up. Coy is only 6 years old, but I hope that JR's impact on his life remains. He was a great Christian role model and a great friend to my children. JR opened my children's eyes to a wonderful world of bow hunting. He will be missed. He did so much for the children at the shop and I hope we can make him proud by living our lives to the fullest and being a good Christian. We miss you but we know we will see you again someday. As Coy says, "JR is in our hearts forever!"
Love,
Angela Medley (Connie Morton's sister n law) ..... (Feb. 21, 2007)

I had only been acquainted with Mr. JR for only a few short months. I could tell right away that he was a man of God because he treated my sons and I as if he had known us all along. I did not have a lot of money to spend, but that did not matter to him. He treated me with respect anyhow. I feel like we have all lost a good friend and I miss him. My heart-felt condolences and prayers go out to his family. Every time I shoot my bow I think of Mr. JR.
God bless.... Sincerely,
Darrell Graves...... Danville, VA......... (Feb. 23, 2007)

I became a North Carolina resident after serving 4 years in the Marine Corps. I moved to Eden with my wife and soon had my bow tuned up after sitting in a case for 4 years. I met JR the first time in 2005 before bow season and I recieved a great impression of knowledge as soon as I walked in. I showed him my old martin bow and we went over what I needed and what I wanted on it for the upcoming deer season I had missed for so many years. I always found myself in his shop just browsing around. He always had some advice for my on what he used and what worked. I remember last year was the first spring turkey hunt I'd ever been on, so I went into JR's and he showed me how to use a slate call. He was right there to show me everything I needed to know. I went out last year and had a great time getting some answers but I couldn't get one in range. I went back to him every day just to ask him what I was doing wrong, but he told me just to stick with it. The last time I went out I had a turkey gobbling up on a ridge in a field. I remember replaying everything he told me in his shop. Soon before I knew it, the big tom was within 20 yards of me strutting and gobbling. I had a huge grin on my face and really enjoyed watching this tom that I could never get close enough to, and now he was mine. But wouldn't ya know it?.. I never pulled the trigger! I went back and told JR what had happened and he had a look on his face like why didnt you shoot. I just laughed and said, "Well sometimes its just the experience." And thats exactly what JR's archery was about,... not the kill, not the gun blast or the release of an arrow, but a great experience. My wife told JR one day "Ya know.. if he's not at home or at Wal Mart, I know hes here spending half his weeks pay".

-Robert Sarka (3/14/2007)

Hope others will do a small amount also so that JR's love for hunting and for children may continue for many years to come. JR showed how much he cared for children in som many ways, and here's hoping that htere will be a way through this memorial fund that they may learn what is the proper way to like life. I know if her were here, his wishes for the children would be that they put his Lord and Saviour in their life .. that they have a positive role model and that they be given the chance to enjoy the sport he loved.
Wesley W. and Susan S. Priddy (3/21/2007)

Click HERE to go to the "NCBA Memorial Endowment Fund"