Robert "Bobby" Glen Wright

Bobby Wright of Marceline, Mo. passed away at Pioneer Skilled Nursing at 3:16 on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Robert (Bobby) Glen Wright was born in Oakwood, MO on April 10, 1930 to Bayne and Maude (Clark) Wright.

His lifelong love of harnessing a team began with trying to drive his kitten with string when he was very young. He followed his Papa around whenever he could and gained much knowledge about farming and raising and training draft horses.

Bobby attended several elementary schools in the Hannibal area. He left Hannibal High during his sophomore year as he preferred to get his education out in the world and away from all those books!

He served our country in the United States Army from February 29, 1952 to March 1, 1954. On August 27, 1951, Bobby began working for the CB&Q Railroad, later the Burlington Northern, and he retired on February 14, 1993.

On June 17, 1956, he married Hurley Ann McLain (Brown). They were blessed with four children. Hurley passed away on November 2, 1997 after a courageous battle with non- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Bobby always said they celebrated 41 years, 4 months and 16 days together.

On April 8, 2000, Bobby married a longtime friend, Genny Bocke from Wien, MO. They had become acquainted through their mutual love of draft horses. Bobby moved his horses to Genny’s home so she could continue her career. He made her life a song! They traveled as often as they could with Wisconsin and Tennessee being favorite destinations.

In 2010, Bobby took a home-grown team to the World Percheron Congress in Des Moines, Iowa. He was Reserve Champion in the Walking Plow event. Bobby was the oldest contestant in a field of 22 teamsters. He preferred not to be in contests, but had thought it would be something to talk about just to participate in this one. It sure turned out that way! Bobby was a member of First Baptist in Marceline, MO. He served as a deacon there. He had accepted the Lord at Antioch Baptist Church in Hannibal. Later he attended and served as a deacon at Providence Baptist in Wither’s Mill near Hannibal. He and Genny also attended several Cowboy Churches, most often Macon County Cowboy Church in Callao, MO.

Bobby is survived by his wife, Genny, 4 children, Heather Lynn (Doren) Miller ,Clarksville, MO, Robert (Ellie) Wright, Jr., Hannibal, MO, Abby Ann (Tom) Murphy Hannibal, MO and David Lee (Shelley) Wright, Arnold, MO,8 grandchildren, Casey (Mike) Jennings, Kristie (John) Franklin, Ben(Jessica) Miller, Lara (Cody) Mitalovich, Jarrod (Melissa) Wright, Eric (Shelby) Murphy, Mikayla Smith (Clay), and Anna Murphy (Luke), and 11 great grandchildren. Also surviving are sister, Caroline Jean Wright, Houston, TX and 2 brothers-in-law Frank (Barbara) Brown and Carl (Bunny )Brown of Hannibal, MO, Roger Bocke, Wien, MO, sister-in-law Diane (Ronnie) Davis, Camden Point, MO, several nieces and nephews and countless friends.Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dale Wright, sisters Gladys Witt,Anna Lee Pierce, Helen Epley, and Ruby in infancy, and sister-in-law, Cathy Bocke.

A visitation will be Monday, June 16, 2025, from 4 to 6 pm at the Delaney Funeral Home in Marceline, with a prayer service starting at 3:30 pm.

A second visitation will by Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 10 to 11 am at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel in Hannibal, MO. Funeral services will follow at 11 am. Burial with Full Military Honors will be in the Grand View Burial Park in Hannibal, MO.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Providence Church in Wither’s Mill, MO, or the First Baptist Church in Marceline, MO.