JACK OLSEN WRIGHT
Jack Olsen Wright, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away, Thursday,
November 29, 2012. Jack was born September 18, 1929 to Merlin Foster and Winnie Olsen Wright, in
Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Los Angles and started working at a very early age. Jack has always
been a hard worker, starting his first job in the second grade, selling magazines door to door and then
selling newspapers on the street corner until he graduated from high school. He graduated early from
high school, and attended L.A. City College and UCLA. He served an LDS mission to the Spanish American
mission and dearly loved his time in the mission field. After his mission, he attended Brigham Young University
were he met the love of his life, Jesse Jeanne Jackson. They were married November 16, 1953 in the
Salt Lake Temple. Jack was an officer in the Navy and served in Korea and the South Pacific. He loved
serving in the Navy and often recalled experiences from his time in the service. Jack graduated with a
master in education from BYU in 1959. He moved his young family to Fontana, California to begin teaching
Spanish at the junior high, and later the high school. He taught school for over 30 years, and continued to
substitute teach for many years after that. Besides his full time teaching job, Jack also taught Spanish,
real estate, and tax law at the local junior college. He also taught drivers education, was involved in real estate,
and ran a successful tax business for many years. After retirement, Jack and Jeanne enjoyed many wonderful
trips around the world. Jack was an active member in the LDS church and had a strong testimony of the gospel.
He served in many calling throughout the years. He particularly enjoyed his service as Bishop, his seven times
serving in the Bishoprics, 18 years on the high council, and working with the blazer boys in Primary. His greatest
love was serving in a branch presidency at the Missionary Training Center with his wife Jeanne. He loved working
with the elder and sister missionaries and preparing them for missionary service. Jack and Jeanne served a second
mission, working with the Spanish-speaking ward in Provo. This was also a choice calling for him. Jack was a
devoted husband and loved his family dearly. He was so proud of his Eagle Scout grandsons and his missionary
grandchildren. He enjoyed golfing with his buddies and was a true blue Cougar fan. He is survived by his wife
Jeanne and six children: Debi (Steve) Adams, Yucaipa, CA; Craig (Melinda) Wright, Redlands, CA;
Sharon (Terry) Jeppson, Burley, Idaho; Wayne (Janet) Wright, Burley, Idaho; Nadine (Wade) Olson, Provo, UT;
Lorene (Eric) Lillywhite, Layton, UT; 27 grandchildren, 5 (soon to be 6) great grandchildren;
sister, Norma (Bill) Hafen, Orem, Utah; and brother, Joseph Wright, Provo, Utah. His is preceded in death by his parents,
Merlin and Winnie Wright; sister, Winifred Harbican; grandson, Brandon Wright; and great granddaughter, Faith Fitch.
Special thanks to his hospice nurse, Lily, and to those in the Grandview Farms Condo for all their love and support
these last few months. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 5 at 1:00 p.m. at the Grandview 9th ward chapel,
1555 N. 1350 W., Provo, Utah. Friends may call Tuesday, December 4, from 6:00-7:30 p. m. at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
South State Street in Orem and also Wednesday from 11:30 to 12:45 at the ward chapel. Interment will be in the
Provo City Cemetery with Military Rites provided by American Legion Post #72.
