Earle Coulsen Wright

Earle Coulsen Wright, 92 of Saint Anthony Idaho, formerly of Hamilton Montana died December 7, 2017.

Earle was born November 15, 1925 in Yakima Washington to Charles Coulsen Rich Wright and Geneva Ensign Wright where his father was employed at the Government Agricultural Experiment Station in Prosser.

The family moved to Sacatone Arizona when Earle was 5 to the Pima Indian Reservation where his father was employed. Earle spoke of the many adventures this living arrangement brought as a young boy. His family moved to the Uintah Basin reservation headquarters at Fort Duchesne, Utah where he finished 8th grade and went on to graduate high school from Logan Utah.

Musically inclined, Earle supported himself in high school and college by playing in dance bands. He played the trombone, banjo and ukulele, and loved Dixie Land Jazz music.

He had the opportunity near the end of World War II to serve in the US Army Air Corp. and the US Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946.

While attending Montana State College in Bozeman, he was engaged to Marjorie Kasky. The marriage was postponed as he was called to serve a two-year mission in the East Central States Mission, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Earle and Marjorie were married one week after his return. He graduated in Business from Brigham Young University in Provo Utah and ultimately went into Banking.  In 1960, Earle and Marjorie moved to Hamilton Montana. Together they had 4 children and enjoyed the beautiful Bitterroot Valley for more than 50 years.  Earle served in the Citizens State Bank in Hamilton as loan officer, cashier, and as a member of the Board of Directors for more than 30 years.

Earle had a wonderful sense of humor.  He was a tremendous teacher and leader in his church and community. He enjoyed camping and hunting and was involved many years in the Boy Scouts of America program.  He was an ordained Patriarch for the Stevensville, Montana Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and pronounced hundreds of blessings.

He is survived by his brother Amos Wright (Gloria) of Provo Utah, and his 3 living children; Douglas Wright (Mary Ziomek) of Rockville Maryland, Elizabeth Wright of Ashton, Idaho and Lori Wright Mackert (Kirk Mackert) of Saint Anthony, Idaho.  He leaves a posterity of 17 grandchildren and too-many- to-count great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Thomas Wright; wife, Marjorie Wright and son, Jonathan Wright (Dianna Wright Cheney).

The family will receive guests from 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon at the Daly-Leach Chapel.  Graveside services with military honors will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com