Wright, David Lane, 1929-1967

David Lane Wright was born in Bennington, Idaho on May 22, 1929 to Conover and Lenora Rich Wright. In 1946 he attended college at the Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University) on a football and track scholarship. During this time, Wright was football coach Dick Romney's sports publicist and a writer for the student publication, The scribble. After graduation, he become a high school English teacher in Rexburg and Downey, Idaho. On October 22, 1950 he married Nancy Claire Johnson. While teaching at a grade school in Bennington, Idaho, he was called into active duty for the Air Force (USAF.) In the USAF he won essay contests and wrote a play entitled Still the Mountain Wind. This play defined his career as a writer and a poet. The central character was his brother Rich who died when Wright was seven. The play was performed at universities, colleges, and in many locations in southern Utah. From 1963 to early 1964 Wright attended the University of Iowa earning a M.F.A. in creative writing. Wright was a career USAF officer serving in several locations including the Dakotas, Florida, Iceland, Alabama, and Vietnam. While stationed in Alabama during this time, he became involved in the civil rights campaign. He was transferred to Saigon in November 1965, where he received a Bronze Star (for diplomatic abilities) and was promoted to the rank of Major. He returned from Vietnam in November of 1966 to his home in Montgomery, Alabama. Soon after he and his wife divorced. In 1967, Wright died from a heart attack.

From the description of David Lane Wright addendum, 1940-1967. (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 70162107

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