Dr. Melvin Wright, a Jackson dentist for half a Century, has passed away.

In April, 2017, the City of Jackson and Madison County proclaimed the day ‘Dr. Melvin Wright Day,’ when the Jackson City Council held its monthly meeting at Jackson City Hall.

Former Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist and Jimmy Harris, the mayor of Madison County, presented the proclamation because of Dr. Wright’s 50 years of service as a dentist, community leader, city council member and educator.

“He is just a foundation of our city … a stabilizing force,” Gist said. “He has always been an advocate, and he has never said ‘no’ when he has been asked to serve.”

Dr. Melvin Wright was also the recipient of the Jackson Exchange Club’s Man of the Year award for 2018.

Dr. Wright became the 73rd person to receive the award.

“This community has allowed me to do the things I have always dreamed of as being a part of this community,” said Dr. Wright, after he was presented his proclamation by Gist. “They have accepted me in all phases of this community. I have enjoyed it especially when I was president of Rotary, president of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce (and) on the board of BancorpSouth (now Cadence Bank).”

Dr. Wright also served with other organizations that included Goals for Jackson, the Jackson Symphony Association, Tennessee State Board of Education, United Way and the Board of Trustees of the Western Mental Health Institute.

“This has just been a lovely community, and I have had a very nice time and enjoyed practicing dentistry,” Dr. Wright said. “I thought I had quit … If my health will allow – another year and I’ll call it quits.”

“I’m trying to move the office into a new location and get a young person to come in to take it over.”

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(PHOTO: Dr. Melvin Wright was the Jackson Exchange Club’s 2018 Man of the Year)