Alfred Allen Wright
August 27, 1940 - April 15, 2020
Obituary
Alfred was born August 27th, 1940 in Delta, Colorado, to Glen Wright and Mary (Rudolph) Wright. Little Al, or “Alyoop” as his mother nicknamed him, loved Colorado and wished to be a cowboy. When he got his first pair of cowboy boots, he refused to take them off, even at night, therefore, his feet swelled and his parents had to cut them off! He spent summers on a remote cattle ranch with his sister, Ruby and her husband Bill. That’s where he developed his love for animals, especially dogs and horses. He learned to hunt and fish at an early age and would later pass that on to his sons. Disappointed in leaving Colorado, his parents had to go find him down by the creek the day they were to leave for Kellogg, Idaho.
Al missed his 6th grade year in grade school following an auto accident in which he and his parents were seriously injured. He suffered wounds to his head and throat which caused him to carry a deep voice for the rest of his life.
In 1956, his father purchased 2 lots on the waterfront of Coeur d’Alene Lake near Beauty Bay. He and his father built a beautiful two story cabin, boat house and dock. Countless memories of him teaching us to fish and water ski will be treasured by our entire family forever.
Al graduated from Kellogg High School in 1959, with a State Basketball Championship to be proud of. He worked summer jobs, including carpentry, and helped construct nuclear silos in Eastern Washington.
In 1960, dad met our mother, Louise, while she was working at “The Boat,” drive-in restaurant. Not realizing he was underage, she served him beer, thinking he was in his late 20’s. She thought he was so handsome and loved his deep voice. As the story goes, all it took was a wink, and she was smitten, as he was with her. She had four children from a previous marriage, Michael, Steve, Mary and David, but that didn’t matter to him. Dad enlisted in the U.S. Navy in the summer of 1961, after boot camp, they married on Dec. 2nd, 1961. They moved their little family to San Diego, California. While stationed there they were blessed with two more children, Roger and Susie (Pooh). He made the most of his training as an electrician’s mate 2nd class, the highest rank possible in a 4 yr. enlistment. It proved to be difficult being apart during the 6-9 month tours of sea-duty. He decided not to re-enlist so they moved to Seattle, Washington for better career opportunities.
Al and Louise purchased their home in 1972 and they made everyone feel very welcome there. Our family will never forget all of the holidays and family gatherings, the grandkids learning through his reminiscing, about fall hunting trips with Uncle Donnie and the boys, or funny stories about him and his brother John getting into some kind of trouble. On the eve of one of those famous Thanksgiving dinners, he lost his beloved dog, Mighty. The stories about Mighty always brought a smile to our faces. That dog was so smart; he set the bar high for any dog that came after.
Al worked as an electrician for Redco Controls, manufacturing custom electrical control panels and switch gears for various industries, including nuclear power plants and fishing trawlers. He helped build a new company, Ausco Controls. He would retire from Lindy Electric and Pacific Fish, Inc. where he ran panel shops.
Throughout his life Al was always very active. He and Louise loved spending time together, whether it was camping at Alder Lake Park, family reunions at various parks around Washington, or memorable trips to Reno or a casino to celebrate an anniversary with Susan and Craig. It was devastating when Louise developed dementia. All of their retirement plans and dreams dashed.
Our dad cared for our mother with love and devotion while she dealt with dementia for over 10 years until she lost her battle in August of 2014. During that year he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He underwent radical surgery and treatment. All the while, continuing to stay active, playing ping pong, shooting pool, and becoming a great golfer, as well as, showing up to every invite from his kids. He mowed his lawn more often than anyone you know, it was kind of a running joke. He made friends wherever he went, touching so many lives. We were blessed that he was well for 5 years. He kept himself busy, but he was lonely.
On May 29th, 2018, he was fortunate to meet a lovely lady, Dale Cox, at a local restaurant, Angelo’s. They spent quality time together, and with friends, at Angelo’s. They loved each other and had a lot of fun together. Our family is so grateful that they met and he was so happy. She brought that smile back for him.
His cancer returned in January and he began treatment. Dad fought the good fight, but he passed from complications following treatments. We are heartbroken and words cannot describe how much he will be missed.
Forever in the hearts of his family; sons Michael Huston, David Huston and Roger Wright, daughters Mary Huston and Susan Fisher, and son-in-law Craig Fisher. Grandsons Steve (Rathana) Guardipee, Adam Guardipee, Dylan (Jenna) Fisher, Jaryd (Lina) Wright, and Erik Wright. Granddaughters Ashley (Vermomd) Lovelace, Courtney (Nick) Johnson and Shelby Fisher. Great-grandsons Julian Johnson and Zakari Lovelace, and great-granddaughter Nariah Lovelace. His sisters Rose (Duane) Williams of Idaho, Jean McAtee of Oregon, and Ruby (Bill) Flaiz of California. Special friend and partner, Dale Cox of Burien.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Louise and dear son Steve Huston, his brother John Wright and his parents Glenn and Mary Wright.
A celebration of Al’s life will be held some time later this summer. He will be interred at Washington Memorial Park Cemetery, SeaTac, Washington in a private ceremony with close family and friends.
Dale Cox
There has been no greater honor than that of being your grandson and I am forever grateful for the memories I will forever cherish. I will miss every moment of our conversations and time spent playing pool, ping-pong and walking through Vegas. I love you Grandpa, until we meet again,
Love Jaryd
I’m blessed to know the Wright family and yourself, through your grandson Jaryd. Jaryd would often talk about the things you were doing and the things Jaryd had done with you. Jaryd would talk about you in so many positive lights. Multiple times he told me how great of a ping pong player you were, and that you would beat everybody including myself, as Jaryd knew I was very competitive person. Well, of course, I couldn’t miss an opportunity to prove I could beat someone’s grandpa at ping pong, so later on in the summer I had my opportunity during a get together at Jaryd’s. This was my chance to prove my dominance. As Jaryd smirked before the first serve was played, I looked across the table to see a man starring at the ball in my hand.. and I then questioned how serious these next events were going to be. As we played, time went by and so did my confidence. Thinking to myself, is this really happening? Well 4 games had past and I was lucky enough to win one game. I left Jaryd’s that night thinking to myself, I just took a beat down by someone 3x my age, and most importantly, that one day I hope to be be like that. To live my life with the amount of energy and passion you did.
Thoughts and Prayers
Al was a wonderful man; full of life and laughter. I was fortunate to meet Al a couple years ago when he and my mom, Dale, met. I have fond memories of spending time with Al at our house in Seabeck. Al couldn’t sit still…he always had to be doing something; either walking Mom’s dog, or cutting the Sal Al from the property. Mom and I gave him that nickname, Sal Al. Al enjoyed making campfires, and many a summer evening was spent around those fires, playing guitar, singing, laughing. When I would visit Mom and Al at Angelo’s for lunch, Al would always challenge me to a ping-pong tournament. I never had the opportunity to take him up on it, but mostly I think it’s because I was afraid that he would beat me and I’d never hear the end of it.
He will be missed.
RIP my friend & regular Sunday golf buddy! Absolutely one of a kind…
We will all miss you! Enjoy that big green course up there!
Thanks for the good times the memories & Lots ‘o Love MAN 🙂
Al was always my mom’s “baby” brother. She adored him and loved making his favorite foods. I remember when he and his parents had the car accident, we went to Redmond to get him out of hospital and took him back to Kellogg to get him back in school while his dad stayed with his mom until she was better. We lived with them so my mom could take care of him and his mom when she got out of hospital. We also lived next door later and I remember thinking he was pretty hot stuff as a teenager. He was always a “gentle” person who seemed to take you as you were. I am so glad he decided to take a trip with mom (Jean McAtee) and me last year down to see Ruby. It was quality time between he and his sister and me too. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
My condolences go out to the Wright family. I have known the family for some 40 years and I know the impact Al had his family. I love seeing all of the old pictures and know Al is in a better place. Rest in Peace.
I had so much fun fishing, hunting and golfing with my Uncle Al. Dad, Al myself and brother spent many times fishing and golfing. Al always out drove me on the golf course. I love him and miss him very much. John Wright Jr.
Dad, I haven’t been able to stop crying long enough to write this to you. The bond we shared has made the void and the loss so big I feel like I will never be okay again. On the other hand, I feel so lucky to have been so close to you. You will always be the man I look up to and admire. I love you and miss you so very much. I know you are in a better place and I will see you again. Your caboose. Susie (pooh)
Grandpa definitely belongs on my own Mt. Rushmore of men who have influenced me and shown me a great example of what it means to be a good man. I’m going to miss seeing him smile with that little twinkle in his eye. That look that made you feel like only you and him knew a good joke and everyone else was missing out. The way he carried himself in everything he did just personified the meaning of class. He was a great man and will always be a great man. To me it seemed like grandpa’s happiness was not in getting anything for himself. But in giving himself up for the love of his wife, his children, his family, and his country. He was the pillar of our family , our champion and he will truly be missed. I love you grandpa and I can’t wait to see you and grandma and mighty in the summer lands. Until we meet again, Godbless and may you rest easy , your grandson, Steven.
Sorry to hear Big Al has passed. I have tried to locate him these past 3 years.
I met Al in Navy boot camp. We went to electricians school together and served on the USS Wiltsie DD716 together.
The Wiltsie held a ships reunion in Buffalo NY,Sept.2018.
I got to meet up with another shipmate that knew Al, I have sent him the above information.
His name is Pete Petraska, a mechinist in Vermont. We all worked out of the same machine shop aboard ship.
Al was a great guy to have known, to work and travel the world with,
I am saddened that I could not have located him earlier.
Prayers to the entire Family.