Gary Thorup Wright

After an "almost fairytale life", Gary Thorup Wright, aged 76, passed into the eternities July 31, 2026. He fought a brave and courageous battle for approximately ten years with the diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia. This diagnosis changed the world for not only Gary, but each member of his family. Knowing that dementia is a degenerative disease gave his loved ones a ticking time bomb to cope with until his last breath was finally taken.

Gary was born into the extremely amazing and musical family of Gordon Lowell and Melva Thorup Wright. His arrival came eleven months after twin brothers Lowell and Layne were born. Because only months separated him and his brothers, Gary was always trying to keep up with them and be on an advanced level of learning for his age, which he certainly accomplished. The road he chose to travel was filled with achievement and success from the beginning. In his third-grade year, he was chosen to play the violin in public school, and his parents were told he had perfect pitch. Thus began his love of not only the violin but of classical music and perfectionism. Eight more children were born into the Wright family making an even dozen. It didn't take long for Gary to become an amazing violinist. He had numerous opportunities to play in the family orchestra that was constantly putting on musical programs throughout Utah and elsewhere, even traveling to the East Coast. Gary would practice three to four hours each day. He took his homework with him to playing engagements and worked on it as they traveled or while waiting to perform. The older Gary got, the more his mother chose him specifically to help with the other children as he was dependable, trustworthy and always tried to choose the right.

Gary grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and developed a love of the gospel and a testimony that endured throughout his lifetime. He was always active in the church, knew it was true, and served in numerous callings, including serving a mission. He was also very vocal about his love of the Savior and the scriptures. Even with dementia, it was evident he never lost his love of the gospel and constantly prayed, read the scriptures while able, and made it clear he wanted to serve and attend the temple.

While still in high school, Gary played tennis and was chosen to be on the school team with his brothers. He experienced much success and also a lifetime of enjoyment that eventually led to teaching and playing the sport with his three boys. He also participated in the Boy Scouts. Being self-motivated, he earned the highest-ranking award of Eagle Scout. After graduating from Jordan High School with straight A’s, Gary attended one year of college at Brigham Young University before serving a mission. He applied for the top scholarship available and was awarded the David O. McKay Presidential Scholarship which paid all his expenses. While there, he was chosen to play in the symphony orchestra.

Gary served a two-year mission in the New Zealand South Mission. His violin went with him, and he performed constantly throughout the twenty-four months he was there. He fulfilled his military obligations as an airman in the Air National Guard of Utah and Colorado before and after his missionary service.

After returning from his mission, Gary married Sharon Bowen in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity. He transferred to the University of Utah where he was awarded more scholarships. He majored in mechanical engineering and graduated with top honors summa cum laude. He graduated in record time with straight A's and was named "The Outstanding Student Engineer " at the University of Utah. IBM hired him immediately upon his graduation, and he began his engineering career in Colorado. While working there, he obtained a patent for his work on computer hard drives. He also attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and received his master's degree. As the years progressed, Gary's career intensified, and he became an executive with several of the major computer companies rising to a vice-presidential level in Hewlett Packard. These job opportunities took him and his family on an adventurous life from one coast to the other and in between.

Sharon and Gary's lives were enriched and blessed beyond measure with their four fantastic and amazingly talented and successful children. In spite of frequent moves and demanding work responsibilities, Gary was a totally dedicated father and husband and loved to spend time with the kids, as well as help them with music lessons, Scouting, homework, sports and religion.

Gary was always a hard worker and very intelligent in all aspects of life. Not only was he successful in his career, earning awards and constant recognition, but he was a published author of six books which were religious, historical and scientific in nature. He would often wake up at night with ideas he needed to write down for his books. He was also a professional violinist and played with numerous orchestras and groups as the family moved around the country such as the Utah Symphony, Las Colinas Orchestra, Denver Chamber Orchestra, Kaslewicks Trio, and Orchestra at Temple Square. Gary composed a great deal of music and has recorded CDs of his own compositions as well as favorite works of others.

Additional hobbies he enjoyed were woodworking and creating model airplanes, boats and jets. He loved ping-pong and pool, even with dementia, and enjoyed playing them with family as well as Burke and Warren from the ward. He also liked jogging, going on walks, reading the scriptures, working out in the yard and even designing homes. He was always busy. Gary was no ordinary man.

When first diagnosed with dementia, the testing that was done showed he was in the top 5% of the entire adult population intellectually. He was brilliant and was loved, adored and emulated by family and friends. Unfortunately, when a diagnosis of dementia happens, the family loses their loved one twice to a very painful disease. The first time is when they mentally die. The second time is when they physically die. It has been a difficult time with constant grieving over the years as Gary continuously went downhill.

Gary Thorup Wright is survived by his wife Sharon; daughter Wendy Amick (Mike); sons Ryan (Corine), Lee (Katherine), and Austin (Leigh); thirteen beautiful grandchildren; brothers Layne (Marian), Kelly (Lisa), Kirk (Valerie), and Will (Robyn); and sisters Ginger McNeill (Dave), Judy Thomson (Jeff), and Liz Flitton (Jerry). He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Melva; brothers Lowell (Elaine) and Todd (VaLee); sister Jackie (Don); and sister-in-law Sherie (Kelly).

Special love and appreciation to Ryan who has tirelessly helped Gary and spent extraordinary amounts of time with him. Ryan was his favorite accompanist and they spent hours together playing and enjoying music with one another. Ryan has been "on call" to help from the time Gary and Sharon moved to Utah five years ago till the day Gary passed away. He has been faithful, diligent, kind and has sacrificed a great deal to help both his parents.

Enormous thanks and appreciation to Vicki and Burke Hills who have been there every step of this long road and done so much to help and assist. Gary's sister, Liz, and her husband Jerry, and Ginger, another sister, and her husband Dave, have visited continuously and showered both Gary and Sharon with their attention and love. Sharon will always be eternally grateful to her sister, Susan Carter, for all the loving service she rendered and her constant generosity. Kelly, a younger brother, and friend Renee Hyer have also been faithful and helped in many ways. Much appreciation and recognition go out to the many, many additional friends, relatives, neighbors and ward members who have constantly offered help and support of all kinds. It would have been impossible for Sharon to care for Gary at home without the dedication and love of their family and friends. They have given so much and have been there on this long journey loving, supporting, helping and sacrificing. What treasured loved ones who have based their lives on service.

Canyon Hospice has given continuous assistance, education and guidance since October of 2025. Their help has truly been a blessing, but especially the help from Gary’s nurse Erika, Ruth, Ronnie and Hannah.

Although the family grieves the loss of such an accomplished and unique individual, we give thanks that we were able to enjoy Gary for as long as we did. What an example he has been. It will be an incredible reunion when we are all together again. We can only picture his joy and peace in the heavens above as he plays his violin and accompanies the royal choirs on high and reunites with those who have gone before. Truly Gary is no ordinary man...

A Closed Casket Visitation will be held at East Mill Creek Wardhouse, Primary Room, 3750 S Hillside Ln, Salt Lake City, UT 84109, US, on September 11, 2026, from 9:30 am to 10:15 am.

A Funeral Service will be held at East Mill Creek Wardhouse, Chapel, 3750 S Hillside Ln, Salt Lake City, UT 84109, US, on September 11, 2026, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, with a live stream available at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c26089354516899.

Internment will take place at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, Serenity Garden, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, UT 84106, US, on September 11, 2026, at 12:00 pm.