Obituary
Stuart Gordon Wright «Eagle Traveler» “Pitaomaahka”
Stuart Gordon Wright passed away unexpectedly and suddenly on the evening of June 6, 2022. He will be sorely missed by his wife Roxy and their children Nikki Textor, Jesse Nelson, Jesa Browlee, Brandon Desjarlais Wright, Skye Harding (Tim), Alyssa Desjarlais Wright, Shayla Desjarlais Wright and Maria Wright. He also leaves behind grandchildren, Joshua, Tye, Lynnaea.
Stuart also leaves his sister Diane (John) Bowman, their sons Cameron and Mitchell, plus his brother Colin (Chelle) Wright.
He was predeceased by his parents, Donald and Marion Wright.
Stuart was born in Lethbridge Alberta on June 7, 1956. His family moved to the Vancouver area when he was 4 years old. He graduated from Centennial Senior Secondary and joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a Heavy Duty Mechanic.
Stuart proudly served his country at various bases in Canada including Petawawa, Borden, and Chilliwack. He served Peace Keeping Missions in the Middle East. He is a Co-Laureate for the Nobel Peace Prize (1988) awarded to Peacekeepers. He served Peace Keeping missions when the Canadian Soldiers were not commissioned to bear arms on their duties. He told a few stories of encounters with armed Bedouins in the desert. Obviously, they did, indeed, keep the peace, for he «lived to tell the tale.” Stuart went on to great accomplishments and contributions to the world. He took his military service very seriously, often saying that a soldier writes a blank check with his life, when he/she serves their country.
Stuart remained connected to Veterans in the Raymond area and spearheaded the annual Remembrance Day Ceremonies in town. Even when there were no mics, Stuart’s commanding «parade voice» could be heard crisply and clearly wherever he chose to project it.
After retiring from the military in 1984 Stuart went on to study at BCIT in Operations Management. He later returned to the University of Calgary to earn his MBA in Entrepreneurship and International Business.
In the late 90’s Stuart chose to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He said it was one of the best personal decisions he ever made.
In July of 2001 he met Roxy at a church singles dance. She was intrigued but pretty gun shy…. but he had a pretty amazing smile! After Stuart took her on one particularly wonderful outing of 4 wheeling in the mountains with her kids, great friends and his nephew, Roxy figured out that Stuart really was a family man without a family. They were married in the Cardston Temple on November 2, 2001.
Stuart took on a massive task when he married Roxy, for she had 2 biological children and a ‘few» foster children. There were 6 kids, most of them teens. Stuart proved himself more than capable of tackling this steep learning curve of both becoming a husband and a father in one fell swoop.
He and Roxy love and worked extensively with the Indigenous community and they, and six of their children carry Indigenous names.
In 2007 Stuart and Roxy bought 73 acres of farmland with not a structure on it and went to work building their home and a Therapeutic Riding Center. Heart’s Haven Ranch was born.
Stuart was an excellent designer, builder, and craftsman. Together with some of the older kids, he built the home that they now live in. It’s filled with wood, creativity, and love.
Stuart was an excellent marksman. He loved to work with the precision of sighting in rifles, reloading ammunition and competing in shooting competitions. He also instructed marksmanship.
Stuart loved people, and especially babies. He was a baby whisperer. If a baby was fussy, Stuart would take the baby and snuggle up in a chair and within minutes they would be sound asleep. He was pretty gifted that way. Most babies would easily succumb to his charms.
Stuart spent his life serving his family and others. Because he had so many skills in so many areas, he could keep an old tractor going, cobble together a wide variety of creative fixes AND keep up with the administrative business end of a thriving Therapeutic Riding Centre and Boarding Stable, usually while holding off-farm employment of some sort. He was a Jack of All Trades, and a Master of Most of Them.
Stuart served his church community in many ways, but formally in finance clerk positions. Bishops could always rely on him to keep impeccable books.
Stuart was also an excellent musician. He played guitar and sang. In fact, the first time he and Roxy got together for dinner at his place, he played his guitar and sang, and she almost bolted out of the house because she felt her heart opening to his love and it terrified her. Obviously, she was won over, as they were married for over 20 years and have 9 children.
Stuart loved, and loves God more than anything. That love for God created a man who was loyal and trustworthy in all situations. A True Warrior of Light and Truth.
Stuart, with your passing, you leave a huge hole in our hearts and lives. But we, too, have great faith in God and His divine plan for all of us.
Sealed for Eternity, Forever in my Heart.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at the Raymond Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – 2 N 200 W, Raymond, Alberta
10a.m. Friends may meet the family with 11:00a.m. funeral service and reception to follow.
Live-stream of the service is available for those unable to attend. A link will appear below this obituary listing 15 minutes before service time and will remain on-line for further viewing.
Cremation to follow is entrusted to Christensen Salmon Generations Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, Heart’s Haven Ranch gratefully accepts monetary gifts (or hay ������) for the continued delivery of the Therapeutic Riding and Equine Assisted Learning programs that serve children and adults in Raymond and the surrounding area.
www.heartshavenranch.ca
E-transfer or PayPal to info@heartshavenranch.ca
To send flowers
to the family, please visit our floral store.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Stuart Gordon Wright June 7 1956 June 6 2022 (age 65)..
Décès pour la Ville: Lethbridge, Province: Alberta