Longtime Driver Buried in Casket Decorated Like a School Bus
David Wright of Tennessee was laid to rest in a casket designed like a school bus after passing away on Aug. 13. He was 76.

David Wright, a longtime driver with Wilson County (Tenn.) Schools, was laid to rest in a casket designed like a school bus after passing away on Aug. 13. Photo courtesy of Joe Stacey of Nashville Casket Sales

LEBANON, Tenn. — A longtime beloved school bus driver was laid to rest here last week in a casket decorated like something he loved more than anything: a school bus.
David Wright, a former driver for Wilson County Schools, passed away on Aug. 13 at the age of 76, according to CNN. His son, Calvin Wright, told the news source that it was only fitting to send his father off in a school bus casket because he "loved being behind the wheel of that bus."
The casket was created by Nashville Casket Sales, a family-owned casket company that makes custom-wrapped caskets and graphics, according to the company's website.
Wilson County Schools posted a statement about Wright’s passing on its Facebook page, noting that he was “a legendary bus driver” and “provided transportation — of all kinds of events — for around 50 years.” The district added in the statement that nearly two weeks ago Wright was honored at a school board meeting, in which the transportation department was renamed after him.
“Thankfully, Mr. Wright was able to attend and receive that well-deserved recognition,” the district said. “Overall, he was just truly an amazing man.”
Wright’s funeral service was held on Aug. 18 at the Lebanon High School auditorium, according to the district.
Read the full statement from Wilson County Schools and view a photo slideshow of the recognition ceremony, posted on the district’s Facebook page, below.
More Management
13 Industry Leaders Describe School Transportation in One Word
What word best describes the school bus industry today? We posed that question to over a dozen manufacturers, resulting in a revealing mix of perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Read More →
Tyler Technologies Adds New AI, Transactions Leadership Roles
Two company executives are promoted to newly created C-suite positions to accelerate the company's long-term growth in both artificial intelligence and payments.
Read More →
Pro-Vision Acquires Convoy Technologies
The deal aims to broaden customer relationships and adds specialized vehicle video capabilities for commercial fleets.
Read More →
Durham School Services Maintenance Teams Earn Missouri Fleet Excellence Awards
Eight of the contractor’s school bus fleets achieved a distinction few maintenance teams earn during the state’s rigorous annual inspection program.
Read More →How Incentives, AI, and Energy Markets Are Reshaping School Transportation
Sit down with Joe Annotti of TRC Companies to talk district grant funding, utility challenges, AI, and why school buses are evolving from transportation assets into energy assets.
Read More →
Inside the Contracting Shift: What School Transportation Operators Are Seeing Now
School transportation contractors weigh in on recent trends, costs, driver shortages, and the rise of multimodal student transportation.
Read More →The No-Idling School Bus AC System
Take a peek at ExoAir Systems’ battery-powered cooling solution designed to run for up to 10 hours without the engine on, reducing fuel use and improving comfort for drivers and students.
Read More →Geotab on Three Major Trends in School Transportation
School bus fleets are becoming more proactive than ever. From AI driver alerts to vehicle-to-grid opportunities, Geotab outlines the biggest technology trends transforming school bus operations.
Read More →
Gatekeeper Lands Major School Bus Deals as Revenue Surges
The video solutions provider announces contracts with Atlanta Public Schools and other fleet operators as it records quarterly revenue growth and expanding subscription business.
Read More →
Building Leaders Who Last: Creating a Successful Mentorship Program in Student Transportation
Discover five strategies for building an effective mentorship program to strengthen leadership development and support staff retention.
Read More →



