Eric Paul Wright

1986-2010

Eric Paul Wright was born September 7, 1986 at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Born to parents Douglas Paul and D.Ann Cleeton Wright, he was a happy addition to the family with big brother Ian Eugene Wright just 16 months older, and sister Kathryn Love Wright Buranek, the eldest. Together, they were three darling, tow-headed children with the boys often mistaken for twins.

Eric walked early, talked early and read early. He was a bright and happy baby with enormous blue eyes and an impish grin that remained with him throughout his life. Blessed and baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he earned his Eagle Scout Award and was an accomplished guitar player. Eric was naturally gifted at sports and liked them all, especially skiing. His Skyline Lacrosse Team took State Championship his senior year.

Eric attended Oakridge Elementary School, Churchill Junior High, and Skyline High School, graduating in 2005. He spent half of his junior year at the House of Representatives Page School in Washington, D.C. After high school graduation, he enrolled at the University of Utah, and just graduated this past spring with a BA in History Teaching, and a minor in political science. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, serving as an officer and leader at his chapter.

Eric’s first job was as a sales associate at Media Play at the age of 15. He then taught guitar at a local music studio for a couple of years until taking a job at the Cottonwood Country Club. One summer, he moved to Washington D.C. to live with his sister Katy, where he was a server at a Capitol Hill restaurant.

After college graduation, Eric enrolled in a five-week study abroad program in Oviedo, Spain. He loved the country and loved the experience. He returned home looking forward to moving to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Hinckley Institute of Politics Internship Program in the office of Utah Congressman Rob Bishop. Among his assignments was giving tours of the U.S. Capitol building. Although there only a brief time, he excelled at his presentations, and the reviews of his work were glowing.

Eric had a lovely girlfriend, Elyse Arrington, who had just moved to New York to pursue her Master’s degree at Columbia College. They had been happily making plans to celebrate Eric’s upcoming birthday together. His brother, Ian was also in Washington as an intern with Hinckley, and thankfully, there to represent the family and attend to Eric after the tragic accident that resulted in his death.

Eric was kind-hearted and thoughtful, but his real talent was as a friend and wonderful person that everyone liked to be around. Those who knew him loved him. According to his sister, Katy, “He was like being around sunshine.”

Our dearly loved Eric will forever stay in the memories of those left behind: his parents, brother and sister; grandmother’s Lois L. Wright of Salt Lake City, Kathryn L. Cleeton and his aunt Kimberly S. Cleeton, of Trenton, Missouri and brother-in-law Kris Buranek of Salt Lake City; along with caring uncles, aunts and cousins in Utah and Missouri; and his beloved friends to innumerable to count.

Eric was preceded in death by an infant sister, Elyse Ida Wright; his grandfather D.Norris Cleeton; great grandparents Eugene and Clara Love, Lyman and Viola Shaw, and Pharis and Opal Cleeton.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday Sept. 2, 2010 at 12:00 Noon at the Mt. Olympus Stake Center, 3862 East Oakview Drive (4275 South). A visitation will be held on Wednesday Sept. 1, 2010 from 6-8 P.M. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive and from 10:30-11:30 A.M. prior to the services at the stake center on Thursday. Interment will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Condolences and service information may be found at www.wasatchlawn.com.