Kevin Thomas "Mel" Wright, age 58, resident of Moose Lake, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, on Tuesday, January 29 ^th , 2019 at his home.

He was born on September 27 ^th , 1960 in Cloquet, MN to Donald and Patsy (Fetters) Wright. Mel attended Barnum High School, graduating in 1979. He went on to complete a degree in Heavy Machinery from Central Lakes College in Staples. While attending college there, he coached the Staples High School Junior Varsity football team. Mel was a jack of all trades type of guy. He spent his lifetime doing several different kinds of work; a chef at Northwoods Restaurant in Barnum, a janitor at Moose Lake School, worked many construction jobs, and he mastered the art of carpentry.

Mel had a passion for all things fast, especially Harley Davidson Motorcycles. He also enjoyed water sports and jet skis. Mel always marched to the beat of his own drum. He loved to make noise, tinker with things, torment his nieces and nephews, and make everybody laugh with his famous one-liners and pranks. Although he could be a troublemaker, Mel was compassionate and one of the most kind men around.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Patsy Wright.

His quick-wit and laughter will be missed by his siblings, Mark (Judy) Wright, Jan Bloom (Merlin Olson), and Annette (Jeremy) Pangerl; nieces and nephews, Amanda Bloom (Josh Beatty), Cole Halverson, Hannah (Al) Hjelmberg, Nick (Heather) Wright, Crystal Halverson, Jake (Wendy) Bloom, Zeb Wright, Katie Nummela, and Andy (Samantha) Wright; 15 great nieces and nephews; and special friends, Colleen Jurek, Terry Danielson, Roger Beibl, Mitch Roseen, Michele Larson, and Joe Kachinske.

"It's not goodbye, it's keep your powder dry!" - Mel

A memorial visitation will be held on Monday, February 4 ^th , 2019 from 11AM until the 12PM memorial service at Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home in Moose Lake, MN. Inurnment will take place in the spring.