AMBOY — Thomas C. Wright, 77, of Amboy, formally of Lombard, died peacefully on Nov. 20, 2017, at his home.

Tom Wright was born in Flint, Mich., on March 16, 1940, the son of Charles and Zora Wright.

After high school graduation, Tom entered the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, in San Diego, Calif. Tom was a member of the Fleet Marine Force Pacific Drum and Bugle Team stationed in Hawaii. Tom was honorably discharged in 1962.

Tom worked several years at Amoco Oil Company, retiring in the early 1990s. He was also a member of the Mad Monks of Melody Dixieland Band of Glen Ellyn. They shared their music at many church services.

Tom started a Christian outreach called Lighthouse Prison Ministries. He was active in several ministries including sharing the Gospel with inmates at the DuPage County Jail. He also ministered in several prisons through personal visits and writing letters of encouragement to many inmates.

As part of the Voice of the Martyrs (VOM), he wrote letters to persecuted prisoners all over the world.

Tom also volunteered for Transport For Christ (Jay LaRette), and was a member of the Gideons.

Tom was married to Jean Sparagna on Sept. 12, 1972, in Wheaton.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Suzanne and Sydney.

Survivors include his wife, Jean, of Amboy; his children, step-sons, Vincent Magrini, of Columbus, Ohio and Ron (Stephanie) Magrini, of Marengo, son, Matthew (Lisa) Wright, of Marysville, Wash., and daughter, Michelina Wright, of Sherman Oaks, Calif.; seven grandchildren, Alex, Lauren, Marco and Gabriella Magrini, Gavin Ephraim and Felicity Wright, and Ava Morales; two great-grandchildren, Hayden and Evan; and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, March 17, 2018, at Grace Fellowship Church, in Amboy. Private burial of cremains, with full military honors, will be held on Friday, March 16, 2018, at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

A memorial has been established to Tom’s ministries.