James LaMar Wright

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James LaMar Wright returned home to his loving Heavenly Father’s care on Sunday, July 5, 2026 in Hyrum, Utah at the age of 95. LaMar was born February 20, 1931 in Cortez, Colorado to Lawrence and Lucille Wright. He was one of five children.

LaMar was raised in Blanding, Utah. It was at San Juan High that LaMar thrived and became involved in as many activities as he possibly could. He had begun playing the trumpet when he was younger and was part of the school band. He auditioned for and participated in a number of school plays. He was on the football team. He was so tall that he was allowed to join the basketball team his sophomore year of high school and continued playing for San Juan High School up to and including his senior year which became one of his cherished and favorite sports. LaMar also served as San Juan High School’s student council class president his senior year. Along with all of his school interests, LaMar spent many hours at Wright’s Garage working alongside his father developing a curiosity and a love for auto mechanics.

In the fall of 1949 LaMar moved to St. George, Utah and began school at Dixie Junior College where he focused his studies on Vocational Automobile Mechanics. He would return home each summer to work by his father’s side in the auto shop where he continued to gain knowledge and hands-on experience working on automobiles.

After completing his two year degree at Dixie, LaMar received what he has always regarded as his “mission call”. This call did not come from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but rather, from President Harry Truman.

His mission was to be a soldier in the United States Army. The church was supporting the government in providing men for the military to fight in the Korean War and so most young men were not allowed to serve a church mission. In October of 1953, LaMar returned home to Blanding, Utah, after two years of military service in Japan and Korea. While serving there, he continued to play basketball and was part of a special group of servicemen who competed in tournaments there.

In January of 1954 he enrolled at Utah State Agricultural College, now known as Utah State University. He enrolled in the industrial technology department as a major in automotive technology. It was during his time at Utah State that a beautiful young lady would come walking past LaMar’s locker on the second floor of the Old Main building each day. He immediately acquainted himself with Hyra Jean Hatch. LaMar and Hyra dated while carrying on a long distance relationship, writing letters and talking on the phone for a year. During this time LaMar completed his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology and graduated in June of 1956.

Shortly thereafter LaMar and Hyra were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan, Utah temple on February 28, 1957.
LaMar and Hyra built a small two-bedroom home in Blanding where their first child James LaMont was born. In the fall of 1959 they returned to USU where LaMar pursued his teaching certification and started working towards a master's degree. They resided in an apartment in Smithfield above what was then called, 'The Penny Saver.'

After the birth of their second child Vicky, LaMar left for Mesa, Arizona where he had accepted a teaching position at Mesa High School. After two summers LaMar completed his requirements for a master's degree in industrial education. While in Arizona their third child Vaughn joined the family. In 1964 LaMar accepted a position at USU as an assistant professor in the Industrial Technology Department. That fall, child number four, Larry, was born. In 1977 LaMar completed his doctorate in education from BYU. A short time later he joined the faculty at Bridgerland Vocational Center. In 1978 Heidi was born which completed their family of seven. LaMar worked for Bridgerland up until August of 1995 when he retired.

Over the years LaMar and Hyra found true joy in offering their home to family and friends. There was rarely a Sunday that went by that they were not welcoming someone new to their dinner table. To them, a stranger was just someone who needed to be seen and loved. LaMar also spent many hours over the years as a part of the local neighborhood watch and took the role very seriously. He served in many various callings and enjoyed any service he could provide in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you didn’t see him singing in the ward choir, you’d see him serving members of the ward, especially later on in life when he did a lot of service work with the local Marshallese population.

LaMar always took great pride and joy in serving his children and grandchildren, always finding time to create memories. He was well known for starting stories about his childhood with the phrase, “well, when I was a little girl” and his slow smirk as he said it always made his grandchildren giggle. He spent hours under the hood and under the body of many family vehicles, fixing them and teaching his children and grandchildren how to work on them on their own. Although he loved his alone time, he was ever ready to teach and inspire his grandchildren with his skill in the garage and with technology. He was always ready to offer much needed advice and counsel through priesthood blessings and this very personal act of service gave his children and grandchildren comfort in various times of their lives. To many, LaMar was a respected teacher, ward member, and friend, to his family he will always be the Daddy who stood strong and proud in his values, morals, and desire to do all he could for his family to be happy and healthy.

LaMar and Hyra have been blessed with 5 children; Monty (Cindy), Vicky, Vaughn (Diane), Larry (Lisa), Heidi (Bryan). They have 22 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

LaMar was preceded in death by his sweetheart Hyra Jean Hatch, his deeply missed grandson Blake Michael Wright and so many other beloved and cherished family members. 

LaMar's services will be held at Allen-Hall Mortuary 34 E Center, Logan. On Thursday, July 9, 2026 at from 5:00-7:00 PM there will be a viewing. On Friday, July 10 the funeral service will start at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at the Franklin Idaho Cemetery at 3:00 PM.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed www.allenmortuaries.com