April 24, 1942 – October 17, 2020

Edward James Wright, known as Ted, was born April 24, 1942, in St. Ignatius, Montana, and died Oct. 17, 2020, from injuries received from a motorcycle accident outside Vantage, Washington.

Viewing will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at Pioneer Memorial Gardens, and the graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, also at Pioneer Memorial Gardens in Moses Lake.

Ted was preceded in death by his father Ronald D. Wright; his mother Flora H. Thornock Wright; two sisters, Brenda J. Wright and Cheryl D. Brown; and three brothers, Heber (Ned) Wright, Micky T. Wright and Randal W. Wright. He was also preceded in death by his beloved wives, Sharla Martinsen Wright and Sandra Quigley Wright.

Ted is survived by his brothers Ronald (Helen) Wright and Robin (Betty Sue) Wright; his sister Joey (Doug) Hansen; and his beautiful children Tawni (Michael) Solberg, Troy (Julianne) Wright, Rodney (Michelle) Wright, Taffien D. Wright, Dustin (Morgan) and Bambi Wright. He was the grandfather of 22 and the great-grandfather of 23 children. Nothing brought him more pleasure than being around his children. He was loved by many nieces and nephews that called him Uncle Teddy and many lifelong friends.

Ted was born a year after his sister Brenda passed away, so to say the least, he was a spoiled little boy with curls that were absolutely beautiful. His mother cried the first time they cut his hair. Ted was the fourth child born to Ronald and Flora and had five younger siblings. Growing up in a large family provided ample time to get into mischief, which he did a lot. Ted was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved the Lord immensely.

He graduated from Lake Washington High School in 1960 and left for his mission to New Zealand in 1961. He loved the Maori people and they loved him. Once he returned home in 1963, he met and married JoAnn Hobart. She brought to their marriage a beautiful little girl whom Ted eagerly claimed as his own. While they were married they lived in Simi Valley, California, where he and JoAnn had three more beautiful children. While he was there, he worked at Disney doing animation as he was an exceptional artist. When that was done, he then got a job working for James Arness, the actor, riding his ranch and learning the cowboy way.

Moving back to Moses Lake, he and JoAnn divorced, and later Ted met and married Sharla Martinsen. They raised two more children and made their home in Utah and then Moses Lake. They had many memories packing into their camp in Montana, horseback riding and building their life on the farm. Ted was one of the few cowboys that lived the life. In fact, when he was driving school bus, one of the children looked up to him as they got on the bus and asked “if he was a real cowboy” to which he responded with a very proud yes. When he wasn’t working, he would be riding his beautiful horses and trail riding in the mountains. When Sharla passed away, it left Ted very lonely. She was truly the love of his life.

Later, Ted married Sandra Quigley and they had a very happy life until tragedy struck again and she lost her battle and went home to be with the Lord. This is when he rediscovered his love for riding the motorcycle. He truly loved his re-found freedom. He would travel extensively for the next few years, going on trips with his friends Mike and Tom, meeting up with his brother, although sometimes unexpected, and being escorted back home, but Rob enjoyed getting to know his older brother again.

Ted loved his church; he loved working in the Kennewick temple and serving people. His love for his family was intense and he would do anything for them. As his disease progressed there were phone calls at inconvenient hours, but always appreciated and accepted as his love was shining through.

He will be missed so much by his family. He always made time for those he loved, and if there is anything that he would say now it would be, treasure your loved ones while you can. His family is eternally grateful that he didn’t have to suffer and that he is now in the hands of his loving Father in Heaven.