Seth Rigby Wright

October 21, 1934 ~ April 23, 2017
Seth Rigby Wright passed away surrounded by family on April 23, 2017.
Rigby was born on October 21, 1934 in Brigham City, UT to Seth Forsgren and Mabel Rigby Wright, the oldest of four children. Rigby moved with his family to Monticello in 1936 and remained throughout his life.
He graduated from Monticello High School in 1952. On November 14, 1953,
Rigby married the love of his life, Della Fern Berry, and together they had four children. The marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1956.
Rigby worked at the Uranium Processing Mill in Monticello before he followed his father into his life’s work in law enforcement. Beginning in 1961, he served as a San Juan County Deputy Sheriff for eight years, Monticello Chief of Police for 1.5 years.
He was elected Sheriff in November of 1970, serving for 16 years, before retiring at the end of 1986.
He was a charter member of the Sheriff’s Patrol which his father started while sheriff, as well as a volunteer fire man.
Rigby also served as a US Marshall Special Deputy from 1978-1997 and Deputy Medical Examiner from 1976-1986. Following his retirement, the National Park Service and US Forest Service employed him, tapping into his vast knowledge of San Juan County and archeology.
From 1988-1999, Rigby served as the Monticello Justice Court Judge.
A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Rigby was a dedicated family man and instilled in his children and grandchildren the importance of work and responsibility through his ranch and cattle operation.
He was a faithful member of the Lion’s Club, providing service to the community.
He loved the outdoors and spent many memorable days hunting and hiking. He was a reader and used that skill to educate himself on many topics. He loved to visit with people, to tell his stories and experiences, and he was well known and respected throughout the county and state.
Rigby is survived by his wife, Della; son, Seth Andrew (Carol) of Glendale, AZ; son, Douglas Earl (Lisa); daughter, Kathleen (David) Ketron; daughter, Dianna (Burton) Black; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; his two brothers, Richard and Jonathan; sister, Barbara.
Funeral Services were held on Friday, April 28 and interment was at the Monticello City Cemetery.
Card of thanks
The family of Seth Rigby Wright would like to express their love and appreciation for the many kind and thoughtful gestures of support shown to us both before and after Rigby’s passing.  
We are grateful for the care provided by the physicians and staff at the San Juan Hospital.  An extra-special thank you to the many nurses whose tender, loving care went well beyond the expected and who demonstrated great compassion and true service.   
A sincere thank you to Sheriff Rick Eldredge and the Sheriff’s Department for recognizing Rigby’s years as Sheriff and in law enforcement; to Danny Palmer and the San Juan Mortuary; to Bishop Bruce Adams and the Monticello First Ward Relief Society and members for all the services provided to the family; and to all who reached out to us and provided food, cards, well wishes, a story or a pat on the back. 
It is truly a blessing to live in this area and to feel the love and support of our friends and family.

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