Damon Irby Wright

Aiken, SC - Damon Irby Wright passed away on January 7, 2012. Irby was born on October 2, 1939, in Cheraw, South Carolina, son of William Troy Wright and Pauline Little Wright. The family moved to Camden where Irby graduated from high school. He attended Clemson University where he was very active in the Tiger band program, becoming student director as a senior. He revived a dance band, the Blue Notes, playing the trumpet and managing the band. Over the years, Irby continued to enjoy playing in community bands, including the one in Aiken. On August 14, 1960, he married Jane Hungerpiller of Edgefield. Following his graduation with a degree in Industrial Management and an ROTC commission, Irby and his family spent three years in Pirmasens, West Germany, where he was an air defense artillery battery commander. Returning to the States, he accepted a position with Blue Bell, Inc., a company best known for manufacturing Wrangler jeans. Greensboro, N.C. Tupelo, Ms, Hendersonville, TN .and notably, Falkirk, Scotland, were sites where he managed manufacturing plants. Resigning from Blue Bell in 1976, he joined the Charles Gilbert consulting firm as a consultant in the sewn products industry. He worked in plants and distribution centers in the U.S. and abroad. Irby had enjoyed golf for some time before the years he spent in Scotland, but this experience intensified his love of the game. Playing the Old Course at St. Andrews several times was a special thrill. He and Jane returned three times to attend the Open at. St. Andrews in later years. Irby worked on numerous Habitat projects in North Carolina and locally, enjoying the challenge and camaraderie. He served on the Habitat board. Irby was a member of the Rotary Club of Aiken. A life-long Baptist, Irby was active in congregations wherever he lived. He was ordained a deacon at Emerywood Baptist Church in High Point , N.C. where he also taught youth and adult Sunday school classes. When he and his family moved to Aiken after 24 years in North Carolina, they left behind many wonderful friends. He was delighted to make many new friends in Aiken who have become very dear to him. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jane, and daughter, Christine Wright Herrin (Dan) and children, Lucy and Jake, and son Damon Irby Wright, Jr.(Traci) and children Emily, John Damon, and Katie. He has a surviving brother, William Troy Wright, Jr., and five nieces and nephews. Irby’s willingness to attempt almost any do-it- yourself project benefited his family and friends. He will be remembered for his warm, friendly personality, his love for his family, his deep interest in his Clemson Tigers, and his patriotic spirit. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 9 at 2:00 PM at Aiken First Baptist Church with the Rev. Fred W. Andrea, III officiating. A private Interment will be held Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 1:00 PM at Oakland Cemetery, Gaffney, SC with the Rev. Dr. J. Thomas Kort officiating. Pallbearers will be Marshall Cain, Raleigh Daniel, John Bowers, David Eagerton, Jim Long, Bill Guy, and T.R. Hendrix. Honorary pallbearers will be Aiken Rotary Club, Faith Explorers Sunday School Class and Clemson classmates. Memorials may be made to Aiken First Baptist Church, POB 3157., Aiken, SC 29802, or Habitat for Humanity, 120 Chesterfield St., Aiken, SC 29801. The family will receive friends Sunday from 6 to 8 at SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC. Please sign his online register at shellhousefuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Damon Irby Wright, please visit our flower store.