Deceased September 1, 2009

POCATELLO - John Shup Wright Jr., beloved son, father, husband, brother and friend passed from this world on September 1, 2009.

John was known for many things. Among them were his sweet and adventurous spirit, his generosity and welcoming nature, and his curiosity about the world around him. John loved to engage people in conversations, sometimes perfect strangers, to learn more about their lives and backgrounds. He also had an unusual degree of tolerance for views other than his own, and went out of his way to listen to and respect others' viewpoints.  

After a debilitating stroke seven years ago, John worked intensively and successfully to regain his independence, traveling by bus or rail around the country where he could explore new places and meet new people. He loved the College neighborhood here in Pocatello and worked very hard to further the neighborhood association. He also had a special fondness for the students and faculty in the Physical and Occupational Therapy program at ISU, where he volunteered each spring to be their case study.

John was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, on December 7, 1947. The family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada when he was 7 and John graduated from Las Vegas High School. He attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where his father, who was a professor of history, instilled in him a love of reading and history that would last his whole life.

He then began what was to become a 30-year career as a conductor on the Union Pacific Railroad. That work brought him to Pocatello, Idaho with his wife, Cathy, and children, Stephen and Marlayna in 1986.  In addition to working for the railroad in Las Vegas and Pocatello, John volunteered many times for transfers to other parts of the country. This allowed him to explore Louisiana, Iowa, Texas, and the area around Sacramento, California, as well as other locales. Wherever he went John made friends and had many, many adventures. His quirky sense of humor and his positive spirit will remain and travel with all of us until we meet again.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John S. Wright Sr., and Lucille Wilson Wright. John leaves his loving wife, Cathy; special dog, Murphy; his children, Steve and Marlayna; his brothers, Tom and Roy and their wives, Dina and Kimberly; nephew, Trevor; and Cathy's family, who loved him very much, especially sister-in-law Barbara Colton Stuart and nephews, Curtis and Darin Colton. Cousins include Julie McLain, Jim and Polly Whilborg, Mike Mahan and wife, Lauren, and Mike's two children, Luke and Gavin.

John also leaves many friends in Las Vegas and Pocatello, particularly people involved with the CW HOGs, the College Neighborhood Association, the railroad, and the "dog park pack." 

A memorial service for John will be held Saturday, October 3 at 6 p.m. at the Edson Fichter Nature Area of the Greenway. The nature area is located south of the Cheyenne railroad crossing on Cheyenne Avenue; look for the car parking area entrance next to Indian Hills School playground. Friends are encouraged to come with memories of John to share.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to The Nature Conservancy, the Bannock Humane Society, or CW HOG.