Pat Wright

Leroy Patten (Pat) Wright, 1927-2021, was born in Oakland, California, the second born of Delbert and Gertrude Wright. He is survived by his only sister Louanne Finch, his six children, Jerry, Delbert, Valerie, Donald, Roy, and Steven, 25 grandchildren, and 47 great grandchildren. His beloved wife, Wanda, passed away last September and his brother Bob passed away some years ago. He grew up in the Oakland hills, not far from where the LDS Oakland temple sits overlooking the San Francisco Bay area. He graduated from Fremont High School in Oakland where he set the school record in the high jump that remained unbroken for years. Pat attended the University of California at Berkeley for a year before enlisting in the army. He trained to be a bombardier, but before he saw any action, the war ended. After he was discharged from the army, he attended and graduated from Brigham Young University, where he met his lifelong companion, Wanda. They were married and sealed in the LDS Logan temple on March 6, 1950.

Pat was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints all his life. His church service included assignments as Branch President, Bishop, Stake Young Men’s President, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and Elders Quorum Instructor. World War II interrupted his opportunity to serve a mission when he was younger, but he and Wanda were called to a full-time mission to serve in the Salt Lake City mission from 1989 to 1991.

After Pat graduated from Brigham Young University with a major in math and minor in physics, his first and only employer during his entire working career was Safeway Stores, the national supermarket chain. He was assigned to the dairy and egg division and Pat’s various managerial posts took him and his family to Kansas, Minnesota, San Diego, Portland, Denver and finally back to Oakland until he retired. To gather children and grandchildren and build magical memories through the years, Pat and Wanda built a home on the Sacramento Delta water in Discovery Bay in the East Bay. The children and grandchildren enjoyed a private dock, sailboat, bass fishing, and swimming and diving in the water. From Discovery Bay, they relocated near Folsom, California for several years before moving to Daybreak in South Jordan, Utah where they lived in a beautiful retirement facility where Pat’s sister, Louanne, still resides.

Pat is best known to his family as a dedicated family man. His children still recall his bedtime stories about “Tobias the Bear”, a made-up character who constantly got into trouble with his woodland creature friends. When the children got older, to keep them interested in family activities, he purchased a boat from his father-in-law dubbed “The Red Fish” due to its faded red color. They built long-lasting memories boating and waterskiing. After retirement, Pat and Wanda purchased a motor home so they could visit their married children and grandchildren who had spread out across the West.

Pat relished opportunities to tease his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He made up unique verses to the same tune for each child with lyrics that rhymed with their name. He constantly probed for what thing irritated a child and then proceeded to tease them with that very thing. His grandchildren will miss rubbing his bald head for money, listening to him play the harmonica and “Hall of the Mountain King” on the piano (the only song he could remember), honking his horn in every tunnel, and playing math-centered games like cribbage and a dominoes game called 42.

Pat died peacefully and painlessly during the morning of November 8 with his daughter Valerie and granddaughter Kate at his bedside. Pat completed his 95th year in October and lived a full, exemplary life that will leave its mark on all his posterity for decades to come. He is now reunited with his eternal companion, Wanda, along with all his family who preceded him into the next phase of life and eternal progression.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 12, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 So.) Viewing will be prior from 2:00-2:45 p.m. Services will be broadcast and can be viewed by clicking on the link provided.