Howard O. Wright, 83

Howard O. Wright, 83, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2006, in Kootenai, Idaho.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006, in Coffelt's Funeral Chapel. Minister Robert Koehn will officiate.

Friends may call Saturday morning at Coffelt Funeral Service until time of service.

Howard was born in Buchnell/Kimball, Neb., on May 8, 1923. He moved to the Oden area in March 1937 with his family.

Prior to entering the U.S. Army on Jan. 20, 1943, Howard worked at Boeing in Seattle, Wash., building wings for B-17s. While in the service, he drove heavy trucks supporting the Battle of the Bulge.

He was discharged on Dec. 20, 1945, returning home. He helped on the family farm and then went to school in Chicago, Ill., for body and fender repair. He worked for several years at Cady and Pier in Sandpoint, Idaho. During slack times in the winter he worked in the mines in the Silver Valley.

Howard owned and operated a Grade "A" dairy farm for many years. When he sold the farm, he moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

He enjoyed hunting, to put food on the family table, and also fishing.

Howard was always ready to help anyone with anything!. He was a "Jack of all trades and a master of none."

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fannie and William Wright, brothers Eldred, Lloyd, Carmon, Carl, Donald and Ray and Wesley who gave their lives in World War II.

Howard is survived by his sister Dorothy Rice, five nephews and three nieces. He also leaves behind his dear friend and caregiver Barbara Chandler and her family, as well as, all those he came in contact with during his long life.

The family sincerely thanks the staff of BeeHive Homes of Sandpoint for their outstanding care and love during Howard's final year.

The fond memories of Howard we all have will never be forgotten, his warm, impish smile will live with us forever.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.