timothy wright dies at 61

Grammy-nominated gospel singer and composer the Rev. Timothy Wright died yesterday at Bronx Veterans Hospital at the age of 61.

The Brooklyn-born singer was critically injured in a three-vehicle car accident last summer that claimed the lives of his wife and grandson and put the singer on a respirator.


Wright's family had hoped he recover from the critical injuries he sustained over the July 4th weekend in 2008.

On Jan. 17, 2009, during the taping of the Stellar Awards in Nashville, Tenn. , Wright's sons accepted an award on behalf of their father and announced to the audience that the renowned reverend had a major medical setback the day of the show.

Various rumors about the 61-year-old minister's health circulated over the last two months, most recently that the 'Come Thou Almighty King' was brain dead and wasn't expected to live much longer.

Wright was the pastor of the Brooklyn-based ministry, Grace Tabernacle Christian Center Church of God in Christ.

Since the reverend had been hospitalized, gospel singer John P. Kee has been paying the mortgage on the church.

Wright's 1994 record, Come Thou Almighty King, recorded with the New York Fellowship Mass Choir, cracked the Billboard Top 20 for gospel albums and grabbed a Grammy nod for best traditional soul gospel album.

He was nominated again in that category in 1999 for Been There Done That, recorded with the B/J Mass Choir and featuring Myrna Summers. His best-known songs include "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus," "Who's on the Lord's Side," and "You Must Come In at the Door."

More Hot Stories:
Scheana Marie Jancan - John Mayer's New Girl
jay leno hospitalized