Jack W. Wright

Jack Wheeler Wright

OGDEN - Jack Wheeler Wright, our loving father, grandfather, friend and hero, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007 at the age of 88. The second child of Leonard and Hedvig Fransson Wright, he was born in Ogden, Utah on Sept. 5, 1918. He attended Ogden City Schools, graduating from Ogden High at 16. At 15, he learned the game of golf which was a passion of his for his entire life.

While umpiring softball, Jack met a beautiful pitcher, Mildred McMurdie, and they were married on August 22, 1941. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on December 12, 1941. Together they had many wonderful adventures and a great life.

While at Ogden High, Jack spent two years in the Army ROTC, which was instrumental in helping him choose a career in the military. He attended Weber Junior College before enlisting in the army in June 1942. Thus began a distinguished military career. A veteran of World War II, he landed on the beaches of Normandy with the 407th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade. He also participated in the battle of buzz bombs over the critical port of Antwerp, Belgium, among many other battles.

Jack served in the Korean War where he was in charge of all logistical support of 30,000 members of the Korean Army and some American advisors. He was also involved in highly classified intelligence operations. During his Army career Jack also served in Panama, was attached to the American Embassy in Oslo, Norway and had numerous assignments in the States. During the 1960s, Dad was in charge of the air defense of Chicago, Milwaukee, and Gary, Indiana. He retired on July 31, 1964 after being awarded a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and numerous other commendations and medals.

Jack''s second career took him to Hill Air Force Base where he provided logistical support for combat forces in Vietnam and was involved in labor relations and troop support. He retired in 1983. After retiring from the base, Jack began a third career of intense building; his last project was to complete a barn on his own at age 80.

Jack''s greatest joy in life was serving his family, friends, neighbors and ward members. He was generous to a fault and had a firm testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ. His philosophy of life was to always stand up for what he believed in regardless of the consequences, always speak his mind, and stay true to his beliefs. We will miss you dad, but are grateful the hardest year of your life is over and you are reunited with your sweetheart of 66 years.

Jack is survived by two daughters, Catherine/Thomas Wilkinson of Omaha, Nebraska; and Lisa Largent of Morgan, Utah; eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters-in-law Ted and Norma Wright and Earl and Laura Wright, sister and brother-in-law Marva and Bill Sheppard, infant son Robert, and son-in-law Steven Largent.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 24, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Kingston Ward Chapel, on the corner of Polk and Kingston Drive (1425 Kingston Dr.).

Friends may call at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., on Thursday, August 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday morning at the Ward Chapel from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Interment, Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd., where Military Honors will be accorded. The family would like to thank Mom and Dad''s Kingston ward family for their many kindnesses, Alpine Hospice for their loving care of both Mom and Dad, as well as the staff at Manor Care.

Condolences may be extended to the family at www.lindquistmortuary.com