I have been blessed to grow up and know personally, all of my grandparents. In fact, I knew and frequently visited nearly all of my great-grandparents with my parents. I come from some good roots.
On September 28th, 2010, my mother's father passed away. Richard Dan Wright, known to me by "grandpa Wright", turned 76 on August 18th (b. 1934).
During his funeral services, I learned many new things that I didn't know about him. I didn't know that he went to BYU, or boxed at the collegiate level, what a risk-taker or funny man he was! Funeral services were beautiful, and each speaker shared wonderful memories of grandpa.
I knew him as a hard worker. Masonry was his trade and he did beautiful work. He helped lay brick on all of his children's homes along with many well known buildings: the LDS Conference Center, restoration of the BYU Academy (now Provo Library) and restoration on the Salt Lake & Logan LDS Temples. He lived a long, full life.
I am the oldest grandchild of my grandpa. To date, his posterity includes 7 children, 34 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. These are all my cousins, and this was taken in 2008, at our first and last family reunion (with Grandpa present).
My mom and her siblings:
My grandfather's siblings:
My family (Ryan was working):
Funeral services were directed by Wheeler Mortuary of Springville, and his body was laid to rest in the Provo Cemetery, next to his sister, Dorothy.
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Does the above picture of my children give you an idea of what the two days away from home were like? If that picture is any indication, imagine it being
ten times worse. :) Thanks to the wonderful help of my cousin's wife, Nykelle, and my siblings and my sister-in-law, Debbie, I was able to enjoy MOST of the funeral in peace.
On the 5 hour drive home, I was able to put a finger on the reason I was so upset and in tears while the boys slept briefly.
(Tanner and Taylor literally screamed at me for the first hour, screamed themselves to sleep for 20 minutes, then screamed for another 45 minutes...then we were able to calm down. Of course, Kortlen slept the entire time.) While
ignoring them keeping my cool most of the drive, I realized
why I was utterly frustrated & why I felt like I couldn't go visit/invite myself to just show up at relatives' homes: because of the terrible behavior of my children. We have some serious behavior issues to work on.
Serious behavior issues.
I know as a child I would have moments of meltdowns, or tantrums, or rudeness, but they were moments, and at a very early age, I learned what was and was NOT acceptable behavior at various events. I don't know what my parenting problem is, or even where to start. I know we need a 'reform' in our child-rearing, but I don't know how to get through to them. I learned the hard way last week that spanking doesn't get through to them. Well, I guess I've known that for a while, but yeah.
*
SIGH*
I'm trying tough love.
In fact, we had to stop and get an ice cream cone to reward the good behavior the last two hours of the drive...as we were leaving, Tanner asked for a quarter to buy a gumball. I firmly yet lovingly said "no". As another little boy asked his mom and she had the same reply, I watched a light-bulb go on in Tanner's head. "Hey mom!" he said, "You're not the only one who says no! That boy's mom told him no, too!" It was as if this was the first time he had considered other moms also tell their children 'no'.
So, I guess I'm alright in his book...
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Obituary
Richard Dan Wright
1934 ~ 2010
Richard Dan Wright, 76, passed away peacefully at his daughter‚s home in Boise, Idaho on September 28, 2010 with family surrounding him. He battled with Parkinson's disease for 9 years.
He was born August 18, 1934 in Springville Utah to Mervin Dan and Mable Wheeler Wright. He was the second of seven children. He was a life-long resident of Springville, Utah. He attended K-12th grade in Springville and attended Brigham Young University for his associate degree while participating on the BYU Boxing Team. He was a Journeyman brick mason for over 40 years. He worked on buildings such as Springville Museum of Art, BYU Academy (Provo Library), Logan Temple, Salt Lake Temple and Tabernacle, the LDS Conference Center, and many other historic sites. He enjoyed serving others, hunting, fishing, shooting targets, and making art out of his brickwork. He was a High Priest and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. He served a mission in the Central States Mission. His favorite church calling was that of Home Teacher. He always had a beautiful garden and loved to share the produce with his neighbors and friends.
He married Lynne Bird on August 18, 1959 and later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. They had 6 children. They were later divorced. He married Judith Larsen, to them was born Natalie. They were later divorced. He married Elsie Hunsaker, they were later divorced. He married Edimar Superti on December 6, 1997 (she was filing for divorce at the time of his passing).
His father and mother, his sister Dorothy and grandson Dakota Wright preceded him in death.
His children Derek (Heather) Wright of Springville Utah, Alan (Angela) Wright of Rochdale, Massachusetts, Elizabeth W (Craig C) Crandall of Chesterfield, Idaho, Camille (Gene) Roylance of Boise, Idaho, David (Amy) Wright of Springville, Michael (Maria) Wright of Springville, and Natalie Wright of Tulare, California survive him. He had 33 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
His sister Kay (Fred) Harrell, Dallas, Texas, brothers Larry (Linda) Wright, Woodland Hills, Utah, Dale (Diane) Wright, Twin Falls, Idaho, and Calvin (Gayle) Wright, Nephi, Utah, and many loved nieces and nephews also survive him.
Funeral services will be held on October 1, 2010 at 10 am at the LDS church, 1157 West 900 South, Springville. There will be a viewing for family and friends September 30 from 6-8 pm at Wheeler Mortuary 211 E 200 South, Springville. A family viewing will be from 9-9:45 am Friday at the church.
