Howard Boyd Wright

Howard Boyd Wright was born on May 6, 1969 to Boyd and Bonnie Wright in Provo, Utah. He was welcomed to the family by his older brother Paul and later they were blessed with sisters Tami and Jennifer. In later years, his step-mother Barbara and younger brother Bradley joined the family. Howard was a precocious child, full of mischief. His hobbies included fishing, camping, playing baseball, burning down fields and rabbit hunting. He was an Eagle Scout and played trumpet in the jazz and marching bands. He graduated from Mountain View High School in 1987. He later served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Houston, Texas Spanish speaking mission from 1988-1990. He loved the native speakers and used the Spanish language whenever he had the opportunity.

He attended Brigham Young University for one year and transferred to Utah State after his mission. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry and a minor in Spanish. He graduated Cum Laude in December 1993. He enjoyed many activities in the Logan canyon such as rappelling, fishing, riding his motorcycle, skiing and hiking. He learned that dancing was a great way to meet girls and learned Western Swing and ballroom dancing. This is what brought him and his wife, Kristina, together. They loved every chance they had to kick up their heels and cut a rug on the dance floor.

Howard and Kristina were married September 18, 1992 in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple and began their life together in Logan, Utah. Howard and Kristina welcomed their first child Sarah Anne on June 7th, 1994. Shortly after Howard’s college graduation and Sarah’s birth, they moved to Virginia to start his first job at the Virginia Department of Forestry. They quickly made connections in a new state. While in Virginia, he was involved in scouts, many church leadership positions and taught various groups the basics of Western Swing. Their second daughter, Angela Ruth, was born in Martinsville, Virginia on March 28th, 1997. Their friends in Virginia quickly became family, and many memories were made in the thick forests of the state.

Howard and Kristina decided to move to McCall, Idaho in the Fall of 2001 to be closer to family in Utah. Howard worked as a forest manager for the Idaho Department of Lands (McCall District). Shortly after the move, their 3rd daughter, Rachel Virginia, was welcomed to the family on January 20th, 2002 in McCall, Idaho. Howard spent his early years in Idaho enjoying his time as a raft guide, teaching his daughters how to ski, and immersing himself in the forests and mountain lakes the town had to offer. Like their time in Virginia, the friends made in McCall became family to the Wrights. Many summer weekends were spent around the fire pit with close friends, picnics by Payette Lake, playing disc golf and fishing the many local mountain lakes.

Howard enjoyed spending his time on various projects to occupy him around the house and with the cars. He kept everything in tip-top shape. Every Friday morning, he cleaned the house for his wife. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his family. He loved making his daughters laugh, and playing with his three grandchildren. He had a unique sense of humor which was only revealed to those closest to him.

Howard passed away unexpectedly and peacefully in his sleep on October 24, 2023. He is survived by his wife Kristina Malmstrom Wright, daughters Sarah Anne Wright Call (Zane), Angela Ruth Wright Allen (Clint) and Rachel Virginia Wright, his mother Bonnie Beardall Wright, stepmother Barbara Wright, siblings Paul Wright (Sarah), Tami Dulle, Jennifer Westwood (Shaun), Bradley Wright (Lexi), many nieces and nephews and his dearly loved grandchildren: Lily Fern Call, Easton Wright Allen, and Blake Bendt Allen. His daughters and grandchildren were truly the pride and success of his life.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the family, friends and amazing McCall community for the immense love and support through this difficult time. Words cannot express how much we appreciate every act of service and kindness.

Howard’s family will greet friends from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., with Funeral Services to begin at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 28, 2023 in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 400 Elo Rd., McCall, Idaho.  Burial will take place in the Bountiful City Cemetery, Bountiful, Utah.

Online condolences and memories may be left at www.mccallfunerals.com

Arrangements in care of McCall Funeral Home.

You may view the funeral services via Zoom the link is:

https://zoom.us/j/98416056957?pwd=WGJpR3hVNTRSQzBuVnRPNWJ4bUcvUT09

Meeting ID: 984 1605 6957
Passcode: 578210