1925 ~ 2004
SALT LAKE CITY<! >
- John C. "Jack" Wright Jr., 78, passed away Thursday March 11, 2004 at Veteran's Hospital in Salt Lake City.
Jack was born July 25, 1925 in Cedar City, Utah, son of John C. Wright Sr. and Ann Smith Wright.
He attended East High School and graduated from the University of Utah. Jack loved skiing and was an active supporter of the national and local skiing industry; he was a member of the National Ski Patrol for 25 years. He served as the Winter Emergency Care Instructor for the Park City Ski Patrol. He also was a First-Aid Instructor for the American Red Cross.
Jack was a contractor, residential homes and commercial buildings. He was a District Sales Manager for the Western United States with Behlen Steel and Pasco Steel. He was responsible for many building projects including the Kiwanis Youth Center, "The Pit" University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and the Honolulu Shopping Center in Hawaii.
He was a veteran, serving as one of the original members of the 10th Mountain Division, earning many service awards including two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star. He was a member of The Order of The Purple Heart. He served as the Chapter President for the 10th Mountain Division Foundation for survivors and descendants. Jack loved the Utah Jazz.
He is survived by two sons, Robert (Jacqueline) La Quinta, CA; Jeff (Holly) of Salt Lake; one daughter Michael Anne Fort Worth, Texas. Also surviving are four grand-children, Andrea Cunningham (Brian) Washington D.C.; Joseph R. (Ashley) Sandy; Hanna Rose and Natalie Elizabeth La Quinta, CA. Jack married Sylvia Lister on February 16, 1991, and the following stepchildren were added to the family: Diane (Mike) Weiss Casper, WY (their two children Patrick Weiss (Jessica) Glenrock, WY and Heather Weiss McFarland (Victor) both serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq); Mark Merrill (Sheila) Las Vegas, NV and their son Christopher. Jack is also survived by two nieces and children who were very dear to him, Whitney Jones Kieffer (Daniel) Minneapolis, MN; Leah Jones Moe, and her children Landon and Jane, Salem, OR.
He is preceded in death by his first wife Mary Duane Stewart, his parents and his brother Robert who was killed in World War II.
A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday March 16, 2004 at 2 p.m. at the Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute to the Tenth Mountain Division Foundation, 133 So. Van Gordon St., Lakewood, CO 80228.