In Memory of Jack A. Wright

Jack A. Wright, age 97, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Friday, December 3, 2021, at the Morningside Rehab and Care Center of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. Burial will take place at a later date.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

   Jack A. Wright, the son of Walter and Bess (Hanson) Wright, was born on May 23, 1924, in Osage, Iowa. Jack grew up in Osage where he attended and graduated from Osage High School with the class of 1941.

   After high school, Jack went into the workforce before enlisting into the United States Army in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1943. He completed his basic training in California and was stationed at various places throughout the United States. Jack really wanted to serve on the battlefield, but the Army needed him as a dentist, so he began dental training.  However, when the government felt that the signing of the Peace Treaty would happen, Jack was then reassigned to eastern Colorado to guard a Prisoner-of-War camp. He reminisced about getting to know the Italian and German prisoners and their life stories. 

   Jack was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946. After being discharged, Jack went on to further his education at the University of Iowa, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Marketing.

   An avid bowler, Jack decided he wanted to build his own bowling alley.  He knew he wanted to stay in Iowa, so he started looking at towns without bowling alleys. When he checked out Ida Grove, Iowa, he immediately knew that's where he wanted to live. He started his own business in 1958, the Ida Bowl bowling alley, which was located upstairs above a business on 2nd Street in Ida Grove. This decision ended up a being life changing one, because when he went to the county courthouse to register all the paperwork for the bowling alley, Jack met the good-looking and single county recorder, Barbara Harrington, who quickly became the love of his life. The couple were united in marriage on July 27, 1964, in Omaha, Nebraska and they made their home in Ida Grove.

   In 1971, Jack was ready to expand his business and built the new Ida Bowl at its current location of 100 Moorehead Avenue in Ida Grove. Over the years, Jack made many friends and memories while owning and operating the Ida Bowl.

   Jack was a huge fan of his Alma Mater, the University of Iowa, and Barbara followed right along in that love.  In fact, they had a van painted in Iowa colors!  They would attend as many home football games in Iowa City as possible and the van became the hang-out for many tailgate parties. When Jack could no longer attend games in person, he never missed the Hawks game on T.V., Jack also enjoyed going up North on annual fishing trips with a group of dear friends.  

   In 1990 Jack sold Ida Bowl and he and Barb enjoyed spending 17 winters in Florida before his health would no longer allow him to travel. He was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church of Ida Grove.

   Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Barbra Wright of Ida Grove, IA; nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.

   Jack was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Bess Wright; and his siblings.