Yesterday morning, we received the devastating news that my brother-in-law's brother, Dave Wright, had passed away Wednesday evening unexpectedly. I can't explain to you everything I felt yesterday. I sobbed off and on all day long. Even still, as I write this, I can hardly believe that this has happened and that Dave is no longer with us. Our families are very close and Dave & Kelli also lived in our circle for a while when they were newly married. The news of his passing was so heartbreaking. All day, I cried and cried....and no matter how long I cried, there are still so many more tears left and they are flowing easily when I think of Dave and his sweet family. I haven't even had a chance to talk to my sister Jill or my brother-in-law Derek (Dave's brother), but want them to know that they are all in our constant thoughts and prayers. My heart very literally aches when I think of how much they are hurting. It is such a helpless feeling....I want to do something, anything, but what can you do for a family who lost their son and baby brother way too early? And so, I have started on a little gift for each member of the family....because that's what I do. And working on these small gifts makes me feel like I am doing something. Even WITH the knowledge that we have that we will be together as families for all eternity, the sadness of Dave's sudden passing is so extreme and the sympathy pain that I am feeling for his family is overwhelming. I can't IMAGINE experiencing such a great loss without that knowledge. The news is still so new and painful and words that usually flow so easily for me, are so hard to find today. I just mainly want to pay tribute to Dave, a young man that was as good as they come...from a family who is one of the most kind, loving, righteous and respected families I have ever known. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wright family at this time. Dave, we will miss you. The world will miss you. But we can only imagine the immense joy that our Heavenly Father must have felt to have one of His great and faithful sons by His side again. We love you.
DAVID R. WRIGHT
David R. Wright 1979 ~ 2008 Our beloved husband, father, son, brother, and uncle, David R. Wright, returned home, suddenly, to his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, June 11, 2008.David was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 10, 1979 to Rex C. and Marilyn Jameson Wright. He married his best friend and sweetheart, Kelli Ann Bell, on August 8, 2001 in the Salt Lake Temple. He enjoyed seven years of Heaven on Earth with her and celebrated the day that his little angel, Kennedy, joined their family. David will be remembered for his fun-loving personality, unstoppable humor and quick wit. He was a man of great integrity, who honored his Priesthood and loved to have fun with his many friends. David graduated with straight A's from Alta High School, and enjoyed playing golf and basketball during his time as a Hawk. He was honored to be an Eagle Scout, and was awarded the Governor's High School Business Entrepreneur Award as a senior. David graduated from UVSC in Business, Finance, and was a distinguished partner of Wright Homes. From 1998 to 2000 he grew to love the people of Chile during his service as an LDS missionary in the Santiago North Mission. The joy of his life was his love, Kelli, and his princess, Kennedy. Golfing and hunting with his brothers and dad were favorite pastimes, as well as family gatherings and going to movies with Kelli. He continually strived to strengthen his relationship with his Savior. Dave surrounded himself with great people whom he admired and respected. David is survived by his beloved wife: Kelli Ann; daughter: Kennedy; parents: Rex C. and Marilyn Jameson Wright; siblings, Derek (Jill), Nicole (Ryan), Kris Ann (Sky) and Travis (Jenalyn); parents-in-law: Michael E. and Teresa Moser Bell; Tyler (Whitney), Courtney; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted in the name of Kelli and Kennedy at Zion's Bank, in the name of David R. Wright. Funeral services will be held Mon., June 16, 2008, 12:00 noon at the Herriman West Stake Center, 13768 South Rose Canyon Road (6400 W.). Family and friends may call Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E. 10600 So., and Monday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Stake Center. Online condolences at www.larkincares.com
Heather - What a tragic loss! It really stops you in your tracks and makes you realize how short this life is. My thought and prayers are with all of you.
Posted by: Amy Horlacher | June 13, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Heather,
My prayers are with all those who knew and loved Dave, especially his wife and child.
Two years ago we lost my husband's brother when his Army helicopter crashed. He was 30. It was devastating to lose a young, vibrant man but our faith is the one thing that sustained us. I pray Dave's family will feel that comfort and peace at this very challenging time.
Much love,
Jo
Posted by: Jo Hall | June 13, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Oh Heather! Words seem so inadequate at a time like this! One of my dear friends lost her husband unexpectedly at Easter. She's now a 32 year old widow with a 2 year old daughter and twin 6 year old boys. So your situation is very close to home and touches my heart. I will remember Dave's family in my prayers. It's so hard to know what to do for the best, but I'm sure the Lord will guide you in knowing how to help your sister and her husband right now. How blessed we are to have the gospel in our lives and the knowledge that families are eternal. Once again, I'm so sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Joanne | June 13, 2008 at 09:18 AM
Heather, I'm so sorry for your family's loss. I can't even begin to imagine. I'm in tears for his wife and child he left behind. It literally makes me sick to think about NOT having an understanding or faith in the Plan of Salvation and that we can be with our loved ones again. The comfort and peace and SECURITY it brings me is priceless and this is a gentle reminder not to take it for granted. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
P.S. I'm SOOO like you, when something wrong or sad or whatever happens to someone I know, I immediately start working on a small gift or card just so they know I'm thinking of them....it's how I work too!
Posted by: Chante | June 13, 2008 at 09:30 AM
I am so sorry to hear about your family's loss. He sounds like he was an incredible man. Thank heaven for the gospel and the sealing power of the temple. I will be praying for the comfort of their family.
Posted by: Lori Muse | June 13, 2008 at 09:49 AM
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this trial. It's so much harder to deal with when the person was still so young, and seemingly had so much life left to live. My heart goes out to his wife and daughter, and to all of you. We've all lost someone close to us, and can emapthize with how your family is feeling right now. What a comfor the plan of salvation can be during times like these. I know your thoughtful gifts will be greatly appreciated, and your thoughts and prayers will be felt. I tend to feel so useless when things like this happen, but I have a testimony that praying is doing something useful, and is very beneficial. I hope the Lord blesses all of you with some sense of peace and comfort. We love you!
Posted by: Bobbi-Jo Grunewald | June 13, 2008 at 10:06 AM
You're in my prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your extended family. Love You!
Posted by: Dawn | June 13, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Heather, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your extended family. May the comfort of the Lord be with all of you!!
Posted by: amber m. | June 13, 2008 at 10:13 AM
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. My husband and I just lost a dear friend 3 weeks ago who was the best man in our wedding. I know what you mean about the crying yet there are still many tears left. I know your friends family will appreciate the gifts you are making. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Jenifer | June 13, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Both your family and extended family are in our prayers. I don't know exactly how the family feels but having experienced the same sudden loss of my own brother just two months ago, I empathize with them. I do know how incredible the power of the Comforter is during tragic times, such as this one. I pray they may be lifted up and comforted by the Spirit and they may be at peace.
Posted by: Diana | June 13, 2008 at 10:58 AM
I'm so sorry for everyone's loss. Hang in there and remember that you are loved and that Heavenly Father is aware of this man's family.
Posted by: Tracy | June 13, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Oh, that is sad.
I too was crying yesterday all day because my husbands longtime grade school friend committed suicied on Tuesday.
So I am in the same boat feeling just awful and so sad for his 4 kids.
(((HUGS))) Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Webster | June 13, 2008 at 11:35 AM
oh heather sorry for your families loss. My prayers are with you all. How horrible and tragic. Its so much worse when its so unexpected and when they are so young. The lord must need these valiant men that is the third newly married young men that I've heard about in the past few months of sudden unexpected deaths. Good thing we are blessed with the knowledge of seeing our loved ones again. But I totally understand the tears that won't stop. hang in there love ya.
Posted by: Christal | June 13, 2008 at 11:50 AM
I was reading the paper just a few minutes ago and saw his obituary. I'm so sorry for his family and others affected by his death (including you!) Sympathy pains can be so strong! You will all be in my prayers!
Posted by: Linda | June 13, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Heather... My sincere condolences at this horrific loss. May God, in His infinite Mercy... bless all of those who loved him, with His gentle peace and guiding strength, to get them thru this terrible terrible time. Words fail me. So much pain to bear. I can only imagine how his wife feels. His Mom... Just awful.
God Bless
Posted by: Sandie McCarthy-Roberts | June 13, 2008 at 01:15 PM
I am SOOOO sorry to hear this. big hugs.
Posted by: Theresa Marie | June 13, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Heather my on-line *Hug* to you. I wish I could do something for you. Just know that you are in my thoughts. I am just on my way out the door, to take my parents to the airport to fly to England. We just received word recently that my brother is in acoma with brain infection or clots. He is not doing well. I can't imagine what my dear sweet sister in law and their children must be going through right now. I am SO grateful for the plan of salvation and the peace and comfort that comes with that. "Till we meet again....." comes to my mind. I have been singing it all day. More hugs to you *hugs*.
Posted by: Lynn C. | June 13, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Oh how sad. I can only imagine how hard that would be. A friend in my ward also lost a young brother-in-law last year and they still don't know exactly why. So sad. My heart goes out to your sister and her family. I'm sure your gifts will be greatly appreciated. You are always so thoughtful that way.
Posted by: Nikki Peck | June 13, 2008 at 01:54 PM
I'm so sorry to hear this. What a sad loss for his/your family.
Posted by: Lilian | June 13, 2008 at 05:11 PM
Heather, I am so sorry your family is experiencing this. It is such a strange feeling...the person is there and then just not there. It's hard, so hard. Having gone through something similar (my BIL died when he was 33), I can say that the only thing you can do to help is offer your love and compasion and understanding. Many hugs.
Posted by: Amy Sorensen | June 13, 2008 at 10:01 PM
My heart is aching for you and your family as well as his sweet wife and daughter. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Raquel | June 13, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry to hear about this. I wish I was there to give you and your family great big bear hugs! Like so many others before me said, thank goodness for the Gospel! It is such a comfort during tragic times like these. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Posted by: Steph S. | June 14, 2008 at 09:31 AM
I am crying while just reading your wonderful tribute. I am sending hugs & prayers your way as you & your family forge ahead & expereice the week that lies ahead of you! We are SO LUCKY to have gospel & those blessings that are ours. My thoughts are with your entire family(extended family). May you feel our Saviors love, peace,& comfort.
Posted by: Raimi | June 14, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Heather,
What a sweet tribute on your blog. So sorry that this has hit so close to home. What a neat family! I just can't imagine the pain that the young woman is going through.
Thanks for sharing.
We will continue to keep them in our prayers.
Ann
Posted by: Ann Snider | June 14, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Oh Heather, that is so sad! It just seems so much harder when it's so unexpected, and sudden, and when it happens to someone so young. I'll keep the entire family in my prayers. ((HUGS))
Posted by: Amy N. | June 14, 2008 at 09:08 PM