Edgar Ted Leon Wright

Edgar (Ted) Leon Wright, 76, long time resident of Rigby, died at his home Wednesday, June 16, 2004 due to complications of his long battle with cancer. He was born in Twin Falls, Idaho on December 30, 1927. He was the third of six children to Isaac Leon and Mary Mcleod Wright. He grew up in the Twin Falls area where he attended school in a one room schoolhouse, and later graduated from Twin Falls High School. While growing up, Ted enjoyed hunting and fishing, baseball, basketball, riding bikes down haystacks and won many awards for drama, including the Best Thespian award for 1945 for Twin Falls High School. Ted joined the Naval Reserves at the age of 17 and served in the Pacific Theatre as a radar operator. After the war, Ted served in Western Canada for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for two years. Upon completion of his mission, Ted enrolled at Ricks College in January 1949. While attending Ricks College, he was the technical director for stage productions, a member of the A Capella choir, assistant director of the Playmill theatre, USAC Annual Poetry Speaking contest in original verse, performed in many radio productions, and was nominated for student body president. He was an Honor Student and graduated on May 31, 1951. While helping with the lighting for Ricks’ Baccalaureate ceremonies, he met the love of his life. Mary Lou Archibald. They were married on December 21, 1949 in the Idaho Falls Temple. Ted and Mary Lou moved to Sugar-Salem, where Mary Lou taught 5th grade while Ted finished schooling. They moved to Rigby in the fall of 1951, where Ted taught, among other things, Speech, Drama, and English at Rigby High School. While teaching he continued his education and received a Masters Degree in Education from Utah State University. Ted accepted the position of Principal at the Rigby High School in August 1963. After 19 years of Principal, Ted went back to teaching 8th and 9th grade English in 1982. Ted took the position of Assistant Principal for August 1988 until he retired in 1991. Ted was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many different positions throughout his life. He served as a Bishop, High Councilman, a councilor in the Stake Presidency, Scoutmaster, Gospel Doctrine Teacher. He served missions with Mary Lou to Nairobi, Kenya and the Family History Center in the Idaho Falls and Rigby, Idaho. Ted and Mary Lou were Temple Workers in the Idaho Falls Temple for 15 years. Ted enjoyed serving in any available capacity and was always thinking of others. He loved his home and hated to be away to long. Ted is survived by his wife and sweetheart of 55 years, Mary Lou of Rigby, and 10 children; Mary Ann Bates of South Weber, Utah; Peggy (Kip) Marler of Pingree, Idaho; John (Elizabeth) Wright of the Czech Republic; Paul (Jennie) of Pocatello, Idaho, Ruth (Mitch) Tebbs of Mesa, AZ; Ben Wright of Scottsdale, AZ; Robert (Debra) Wright of Blackfoot, ID; Nathan (Emily) Wright of Heber City, Utah; Becky (Guy) Overson of Apache Junction, AZ; Matthew (Julie) Wright of Antioch, CA; 53 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, David Isaac Wright, his brother Kendall, and his parents, Isaac Leon and Mary Wright. Funeral services will be held at the East Rigby Stake Center at 4021 East 300 North in Rigby at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, June 21, 2004 with Paul Wright conducting. Family will visit with friends at the Eckersell Funeral Home (101 West Main, Rigby) from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 20, 2004 and from 11:00 to 12:45 p.m. Monday, prior to the Funeral. Interment will be at the Rexburg Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Jefferson Veterans.