Wasena Franklin Wright, Jr., 1941-2003

  Wasena Franklin Wright, Jr. was known by many titles, including husband, father, and friend. As "Buddy," he was a caring pastor, mentor, and a faithful colleague in ministry. Born in Danville in 1940, Buddy began his ministerial career at the age of 19. During his 43-year ministry he provided pastoral care and leadership for several churches. He served the Ashland Circuit; Epworth, Richmond; Ginter Park associate, Richmond; Calvary, Stuarts Draft; Mount Vernon, Danville; Centenary, Portsmouth; and Annandale, Northern Virginia. In 2000, he was appointed Virginia Conference Council Director where he served until June 2003.

  Buddy’s undergraduate education was at Ferrum and Randolph-Macon Colleges. He obtained his Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va., and his Doctor of Ministry degree from St. Mary’s Seminary and University.

  Buddy was a proud alumnus of Ferrum College whose motto, "Not Self but Others" found expression in his life style. He provided dedicated service to his alma mater by serving on the Board of Trustees for several terms. In 1999, Buddy received the Beckham Medallion, Ferrum College’s highest award given alumni for outstanding leadership and service. It has been said that Buddy was "a model of selfless service to family, church, and community."

  During his distinguished career Buddy served on numerous church-related boards and agencies at local, regional, and national levels. In addition to his unique pastoral and administrative gifts, Buddy was a recognized scholar and educator. His ministry to families of suicide victims and publications in this arena are among his unique contributions. He was known for his involvement in and passion for mission that reached around the world. He was involved in various mission projects both locally and overseas, including Liberia and worked with Palestinian Christians in Israel. He served on the adjunct faculty of the Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies and was active in the field of biblical archaeology, leading excavation teams to Bethsaida in Galilee. In expression of his Cherokee heritage, he was also passionate about his work with Native Americans in Virginia and Oklahoma.

  Buddy is remembered in many ways. He was a visionary leader who distinguished himself as a man of faith who lived what he believed. What he believed helped him experience the abundant life and enabled him to face his untimely death with courage and confidence. Buddy’s faith allowed him to fly higher than most dare to venture and to see what others often miss or ignore.

  Services celebrating Buddy’s life and ministry were held Monday, July 7, at Annandale United Methodist Church and Tuesday, July 8, at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Montpelier. A passage of Scripture read as a part of these services came from Isaiah: But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31) How appropriate it was to use this symbolic Scripture to remind us of Buddy’s distinctive life. Like an eagle, he soared high above, beckoning us upward and forward. His memory still does the same for those of us whose lives he touched.