Stewart Wright

Stewart Alma Wright, II, was born on July 1, 1940 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and passed away from natural causes on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 in Bountiful, Utah surrounded by his loving family.

Stewart was the son of Stewart Alma Wright and Gertrude Hamilton and the oldest of four children. He graduated from East High School and received his electrical engineering undergraduate and MBA degrees from the University of Utah. Stewart faithfully served a three year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Dusseldorf, Germany where he fell in love with the people and the German language. One of Stewart’s fondest memories is traveling the world with his mom for two months after his mission. This sacred time nourished his adventurous spirit and blessed him with an appreciation for other cultures throughout his life. He also served in the Air National Guard.

Opposites attract and Stewart and Bonnie were no exception. They met at a party at the University of Utah and with persistence, the serious and bookish Stewart convinced the vivacious and fun loving Bonnie to marry him on August 26, 1965 in the Salt Lake Temple. Their parents were thrilled since they were in a scripture study group and already good friends.

Together they raised four sons while living in Boston, Massachusetts, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Mexico City, Mexico before settling in Bountiful, Utah in 1975.

Bonnie and Stewart loved bringing joy to others, especially during the holidays. Many neighbors, family, and friends will long remember Halloween at the Wright home, turned haunted house, where Bonnie dressed as a witch and an obliging Stewart as a variety of characters. They would serve bubbling root beer from a witch’s cauldron and hundreds of glazed donuts to their beloved neighbors and friends. During the Christmas season, their home became a magical place of gathering filled with delicious food, generous offerings, children in Nativity costumes, and Stewart tenderly reading the account of Christ’s birth.

Meticulous and patient by nature, Stewart was known to be able to fix almost anything. His creativity and intelligence was on full display when, as a high school student, he won the East High Science Fair where he built a liquid fuel rocket. Stewart also built a home stereo and the family’s first television entirely from parts which they used for 15 years. His experience working at Digital Equipment Corporation magnified his love of electronics and invention. He was a train hobbyist and enthusiast all his life. The grandchildren especially loved seeing his intricate train villages and ingenuity during the holidays.

Stewart was an adoring grandfather. His calm and patient demeanor would comfort the most fussy baby. Stewart was young at heart as he would watch cartoons, play trains, build elaborate Lego sets, and work on puzzles with the grandchildren. 

Some of his grandchildrens’ fondest memories are of drinking root beer floats while watching Scooby Doo with Grandpa. He was the ultimate Disney fan outlasting all of his family at the various parks.

Stewart had a deep and abiding love of his Savior Jesus Christ. He accepted invitations to teach and testify of His divine attributes as he strove to emulate those attributes in all aspects of his life. This was never more evident than within the walls of his own home. His devotion to his family was manifest on the sidelines at sporting events, in the audience of performing arts recitals, and with late night math questions. He was a calm presence and peacemaker who worked tirelessly to support his family. Stewart loved studying the gospel, worshiping in the House of the Lord, serving in various callings throughout the Church, and singing in the choir.

The family he so lovingly created with Bonnie was his greatest treasure. He has left a foundational legacy of faith, love, service, and learning that his children and grandchildren continue to build upon.

He is survived by his adoring sons Stephen (Sunny) Wright-Alpine, UT, James (Amy) Wright-Layton, UT, Bryan (Noelle) Wright-Salt Lake City, UT, and Aaron (Andrea) Wright-Lake Stevens, WA, sister Jeanne Wright-Los Altos, CA, brother David (Kathy) Wright-Palatine, IL, as well as 18 cherished grandchildren, and one precious great-grandchild. He is preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie; his parents, Stewart and Gertrude; and his brother, John.

Stewart’s family would like to sincerely thank the kind caregivers at Legacy House for the tender way in which they took care of Stewart the last two years.

A viewing will be held on Friday, September 1, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. with the funeral services following at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Hills Chapel, 455 S. 1200 E., Bountiful, Utah.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.