Ronald McKinley Wright, 79, of Casar , passed away on Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 at Atrium Health - Cleveland, Shelby.

Ronald was born on November 23rd, 1944 in Shelby, NC. He was the son of the late Junior and Georgia Wright. Ronald was a member of the Class of 1963 of Burns High School. After High School, Ronald joined the United States Army and served in Germany in the 34th Signal Battalion Corps during Vietnam. After his time in the Army, Ronald went onto Cleveland Community Institute and received an Associate in Applied Science Degree with a Major in Industrial Management. He worked for the North Carolina Department of Corrections. He was sworn law enforcement for the State of North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles under the License, Theft and Weight Enforcement as a Vehicle Inspection Officer. Ronald was promoted through the ranks to Vehicle Enforcement Officer I and promoted to Sergeant. He received his Intermediate and Advanced Law Enforcement Certification. In 2000 Ronald obtained a letter of commendation from former Burke County Sheriff John McDevitt for playing a vital role in the recovery of more than 51 stolen vehicles. He retired from the DMV as an Inspector assigned to Burke County in 2003 with 25 years of service. Ronald went onto to maintained his Law Enforcement Certification, as a Reserve Officer for Burke County Sheriff's Office, until 2022. He was a member of Casar Methodist Church as well as Casar Masonic Lodge 579.

Ronald is survived one son Ronald McKinley Wright II "Mackie" and his wife, Julie; three daughters, Kiley Hartwyk and her husband, Bryan, Melanie Martin and her husband, Kevin, Kelli Phillips and her husband, Brandon; one brother, Michael Wright; one sister, Linda Wright; three grandchildren, Mason Wright, Camden Martin, Riley Martin.
A memorial service will he held on Saturday, May 25th, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Stamey-Tysinger Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Chris Meade, officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 25th, 2024 , at 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm following the service.
A guest register is available at www.stameytysingerfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Stamey-Tysinger Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., Fallston, NC.