Dr. Jay Warren Wright Obituary (1934 - 2014)

1934 - 2014 Dr. Jay Warren Wright, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, dentist and respected member of the community passed away on June 28, 2014. He died at home surrounded by his loving family following a courageous, two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Jay was born on April 13, 1934, in Murray, Utah, to Warren Lavon Wright and Ada Obray Thomas. He was raised in Murray and attended Murray High. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and the University of Pacific in San Francisco, California, with a Doctor of Dental Surgery. Jay married Sharlene Jean Erickson on August 3, 1956 in the Salt Lake Temple. They shared 35 wonderful years together and raised five daughters. Sharlene passed away on March 19, 1992. A couple of years later, Jay was blessed with another wonderful companion, Jean Hicks Middleton. They were married on June 29, 1994, and later were sealed in the Jordan River Temple. They spent 20 happy years together, and he loved her five children as his own. Jay was devoted to his family, friends, and patients. He had a great love for the Savior. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served a mission in the Central Atlantic States Mission. Jay diligently fulfilled many other callings, including high councilman, member of bishoprics, stake athletic director, and dedicated home teacher. For 13 years, he devotedly served the inmates at the Utah State Prison as a Family History Missionary. He was honored to work in the Draper, Utah, Temple, before becoming ill. Jay was passionate about sports. He was the ultimate referee critic and perfected this skill at BYU football and Jazz games. But his favorite place was the golf course, where he scored three holes-in-one. Jay enjoyed traveling with Jean and together they visited Russia, Israel, and the Mediterranean. Although he liked visiting other countries, his favorite destination was Disneyland with his family. Jay was a member of the Murray Lion's Club. He tirelessly devoted his time and energy to serving the community with the Lions and in various other ways throughout his life. Jay will be remembered for his kindness, charity, humility, selfless attitude, and sense of humor. He was a wonderful husband and father. Jay is survived by his wife Jean, daughters J'Ann Sherry, Julie Lynn (Jeff) Christiansen, Laurie Ann (Dion) Rasmussen, Lisa Jo Wright, Sandra LaVonne (Wade) Higgs, step-children George William (Melissa) Middleton, Jr., James Anthony (Jennifer) Middleton, John Hicks (Suzie) Middleton, Peter Lowry (Erin) Middleton, Mary Middleton (Jeremy) Holmgren, and sister-in-law, Beryl Erickson O'Connell. He is also survived by 26 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Sharlene, parents, sisters June (Clyde) Coon and LaDean (Dan) Bird and brother-in-law Ilo Lamar Erickson. Funeral Services will be held July 3, 2014, at11:00 a.m. at the Hidden Valley Stake Center, 1450 East Raddon Drive, Sandy, Utah, with visitation from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services. The viewing will be on July 2, 2014 from 6-8 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State Street, Murray, Utah. Interment at Murray City Cemetery. Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary-Murray 4760 South State Street Murray, UT 84107