Bruce Auldon Wright, 90, of St. George, Utah, passed away peacefully on 20 February 2020, at home under the watchful care of his wife Diane, and her children Robin and Curtis.
He was born 17 January 1930, in Sanford, Texas, the son of Dallas and Bertha Wright. In 1948 he graduated from high school in Cochranton, Pennsylvania. He joined the United States Navy on 7 August 1950 and served on the U.S.S. Taluga amid the Korean conflict. During his service he received the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, China Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal (2 stars). He was honorably discharged on 7 June 1954.
Following his Naval service, Bruce managed a small drug store in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he met employee Yvonne Havens whom he would later marry in Las Vegas, Nevada on 19 March 1955. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Washington D.C. Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Most of Bruce's professional life was spent as a salesman, which was a career well suited to his ability to strike up a conversation with anyone. He worked many years selling recreational vehicles and enjoyed traveling in that capacity, accompanied by his wife and family whenever possible. The family enjoyed the luxury of traveling in motorhomes on the way to trade shows around the country.
Bruce and Yvonne were blessed with four children: Dallas (Daniel), Janet (Daniel) Barton, Daryl (Julie) and Judith (Michael) Buffaloe. To date, Bruce's posterity includes 11 grandchildren (Jessica, Cory, Deanna, Rebecca, Kyle, Wesley, Zachary, Scott, Tyler, Christopher, and Jacob) and 7 great-grandchildren (Channing, Tessa, Presley, Caden, Annabeth, Beau, Paisley).
His grandchildren loved to listen to his stories, and he loved to play games with them, and tease them. He also enjoyed gardening and western movies, particularly John Wayne movies. His love for birds is easily noticed with the many bird feeders located outside his windows. He loved spending the day watching all types of birds visiting and enjoying his feeders. Bruce always enjoyed having a dog or dogs as companions.
Bruce is survived by his current wife Diane and by his brother Lowell (Joanna), Lyle (Edie) and Gary (Terri).
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Yvonne (2002), his son Dallas (2019), brothers Arden and Dale, and sisters, Greta, Hattie, and Kathleen.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, February 29, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. ‚ 12:00 p.m. at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South). A cryptside service will be held at 12:30 p.m. at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Mausoleum following the viewing.
