Ralph Middlemiss Wright

Ralph Middlemiss Wright, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 93 in his home November 4, 2023, surrounded by family.

Here is the obituary he penned for himself many years ago:

“I was born June 7, 1930, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Ralph Bassett and Afton Middlemiss Wright. I graduated from East High in 1947, and from the University of Utah in 1951.  I served for three years as an officer aboard the US Navy Destroyer, USS Tingey (DD539) during the Korean War. While on leave, I married Julia (Judy) Burton, March 20, 1953, in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After my Navy service, I attended the Harvard Business School, and received an MBA degree in 1956.

After serving in various sales and management positions in the petroleum industry, I purchased Miller Floral Company in Farmington, Utah, with a partner in 1964, and served as President.  In 1969, I founded Utah Roses, Inc., Sandy, Utah. This company grew to serving wholesale florists throughout the U.S. and Canada, with fresh cut roses. It also developed one of the first geothermally heated commercial greenhouses in the U.S., in Bluffdale, Utah.

I was active in several local, regional, and national trade associations in the floral industry, including serving as President of the Society of American Florists of Alexandria, Virginia. I also headed work on fresh cut rose quality standards for the national commercial rose grower’s association, Roses Incorporated.

Judy and I had 5 children: Ralph B. (Pam), Steven (Pam), Scott, Julie Anne (Scott Shaffer), and James (Cheryl). We have 21 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, a foster daughter, and her family. I have been an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, having served in bishoprics, the stake high council, and as a temple ordinance worker. An avid golfer, I was a long-time member of Oakridge Country Club in Farmington, Utah.

I am survived by my beloved wife, Judy, and all our posterity mentioned above.

I look forward now to seeing all my family and friends who have passed on before me, and over the years, welcoming those I am leaving behind. May the Lord bless us and keep us all, until we meet again.”

~ Ralph M. Wright

Funeral services for Ralph will be on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Bountiful Central Stake Center, 640 South 750 East in Bountiful. Friends may call at a viewing held that morning from 9:00 am to 10:40 am. A viewing will be on Friday, November 10, 2023 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the church. He will be laid to rest at Memorial Lakeview Mortuary & Cemetery, 1640 East Lakeview Drive, Bountiful.