It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dr. KT Wright.
Kenneth Terrill Wright, 83, of Blandinsville passed away at 10:29 a.m. Thursday, September 29, 2022 at Richard Owens Hospice House in Peoria.
He was born on December 28, 1938 in Quincy, Illinois, the only child of Byron and Wilma Sykes Wright. He started his education in Kinderhook, Illinois and finished both primary and secondary school at Western High after the family moved to Macomb. Following high school graduation, he enrolled at Western Illinois University where he completed the pre-veterinary curriculum before transferring to the University of Illinois. He received a BS degree from that university in 1960, 22 years after both of his parents received the same degree from the same institution. In 1962 Dr. Wright completed veterinary school and received the degree, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
He started in Blandinsville, IL as a partner with Dr. C.M. Rodgers, and the two of them operated a general veterinary practice mainly focused on food animal medicine. After the retirement of Dr. Rodgers in 1972, Dr. Wright relocated to the newly constructed Blandinsville Veterinary Clinic, where he continued the practice by himself. In later years, following the decline in the number of livestock producers, he became involved with production medicine through the ownership of swine units in partnership with two other veterinarians. The system operated sow farms and boar studs located in both Missouri and Illinois.
In October of 1975, he was united in marriage with Miss Betty Painter of Terre Haute, IL at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Macomb, IL. She served as office manager at the clinic for many years following her retirement from banking.
Dr. Wright was very involved with his community serving for ten years on the Blandinsville Village Board, two years as a trustee and eight years as Village President. He was also active in his church, serving on the administrative board of the Blandinsville United Methodist Church. Throughout his career, he was very involved in organized veterinary medicine, with service as a board member of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians and a long-time board member of that organization’s foundation. He also served for six years as the delegate from AASV to the annual meeting of the American Veterinary Medicine Association. He was a member of the Board of Directors of McDonough District Hospital for nine years. After 55 years of practice, health issues forced him to close the Clinic, but he continued involvement with production agriculture until the time of his death.
As avid supporters of higher education, the Wrights endowed scholarships at both Western Illinois University and the University of Illinois with the hope that they could benefit others in that manner.
Dr. Wright was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his wife, Betty and several cousins. He was one of 24 grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Wright of Bradford, IL and one of the six of those to graduate from the University of Illinois.
Services
Cremation rites have been accorded. A Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 7, 2022 at the Blandinsville United Methodist Church with Reverend Beth Nelson officiating. Memorials may be made to the Blandinsville United Methodist Church. Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Blandinsville is in charge of arrangements.
You may leave condolences and sign the guest book online at clugston-tibbitts.com.