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The late U.S. Rep. Ron Wright will lie in repose Friday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington for a public viewing, according to arrangements released by his family Saturday.
The Arlington Republican died last Sunday, less than three weeks after contracting COVID-19. He also had been battling cancer.
The public viewing will be followed Saturday by Wright’s funeral in the Texas Ballroom of Fort Worth’s Will Rogers Memorial Center. The 11 a.m. service will be open to the public. Bishop Michael F. Olson of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth will preside over the service, which will include a Mass and a tribute to the former congressman.
“Congressman Wright was a pillar and political powerhouse in the community,” said Matt Langston, a spokesman for the family and Wright’s political consultant. “His legacy is a rarity in today’s political environment, where he prioritized working toward what is best for the country and not talking cheap political rhetoric.”
Wright, who had just started his second term in the House, had been keeping a vigorous work schedule before contracting COVID-19. Two weeks ago, he and his wife, Susan, were admitted to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas because of effects of the disease.
Wright had announced on Jan. 21 that he had tested positive “after coming in contact with an individual with the virus last week.” He had been in quarantine since Jan. 15 and said he would remain in isolation until doctors cleared him to return to work.
Gov. Greg Abbott will set a special election to fill the vacant U.S. House seat.