Ayden Christian Wright, 21, of Marshall, MO, passed away December 17, 2023. He left this world on his own terms, in his home, in his bed, surrounded by his family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 23, 2023, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Marshall with Fr. Francis Doyle officiating. Burial will follow in Ridge Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023, at the church. Instead of sending flowers, the family would be honored if you made a donation to St. Peter Catholic Church, the Hematology and Oncology Clinics at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City or Make-A-Wish Foundation Missouri in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com
Ayden, the son of Aaron Christian and Sarah Ann (Young) Wright was born October 9, 2002. He graduated from Marshall High School in 2021. He was a lifelong member of St. Peter Catholic Church.
He will always be remembered in the heart of his family: Addyson Ann Wright (fiancé Chad Rauch) of Columbia; grandparents, Roy Eugene “Jess” and Margaret Ann (Flynn) Young of Slater, Larry Orval and Anita Cillane (Walker) Wright of Marshall; aunt, Sherry Beth (Young) and Jason L. Moore of Marshall; great aunts and uncles, cousins, and other extended family members.
Ayden worked in Marshall at Marshall Cinema and Pyro City at Marshall Junction. He was loved by his employers.
When Ayden felt well enough, his goal was to follow in his parents’ foot-steps to become an educator and coach. Unfortunately, his health didn’t allow him to fulfill his dreams, but he continued to plan. Ayden had an enormous heart and kind soul. No one was a stranger, and he always put others ahead of himself.
There were many activities throughout Ayden’s life, before his health prevented him from participating in the things he loved. He will forever be remembered as #92 of the Marshall High School football team. He loved wrestling and playing baseball, but what he loved the most were the friends he made while he was involved in the sports. Eventually his health prevented him from being in those sports, so he joined the Trap Shooting Team with the Marshall FFA. Perhaps most of all, Ayden loved hunting and fishing with his dad and papas. His favorite NFL team was the San Francisco 49’ers, and his “Happy Place” was the ocean at Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He and his family traveled there every summer.
Ayden and his family extend thanks to all the caring people who helped to make the time he had on Earth as enjoyable as possible, and helping Ayden feel that he was an important member of the community.
When Ayden was diagnosed with cancer 9 ½ years ago, he was given three months to three years to survive. His strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, with the assistance of his weekly prayer group that never wavered and the amazing care he received from his surgeons and oncology team at Children’s Mercy Hospital, he was able to go beyond his life expectancy by many years. Throughout his fight with cancer, Ayden was proud of the fact that he was strong enough to withstand many trial procedures and medications. His hope was that his journey would positively affect treatments and outcomes of future cancer patients.
Ayden’s impact on everyone around him will far outlive his cancer.