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Matthew Wright Support Fund

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Matthew David Krehl Wright, 18, of Boise, passed on March 26, 2018 as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. The son of David and Ann (Young) Wright, Matt attended Capital High School and was scheduled to graduate in May of this year. He was a member of Capital’s KCHStv production crew, a student at the Dennis Tech Center as well as a welder for Western Trailers.

Matthew was born three weeks early, on January 25, 2000 in Boise, ID.  Despite this, Matt still tipped the scales at 8 lbs 13oz.  He spent several days in the NICU until his lungs were healthy enough for him to go home with his family.  His parents chose the name Matthew because it means, “A Gift from God”, which he truly was.  David, after his best friend and father, who are one-in-the-same.  Krehl, after a family friend, who is kind, selfless and has a heart of gold.  So, as you can see, his name was perfectly suited!

Matthew was preceded in death by his grandparents, Donald and Ann Young, and his aunt Kristen Obenchain.

Matthew loved working with his hands, he was a talented welder, and couldn’t wait to attend  Idaho State University in the fall, where he planned to pursue welding, with the intention of making it his career. Matthew loved classic rock, hanging out with family and friends and taking care of his dog, Sprite, aka Spider Pig.

Matthew is survived by his parents, David and Ann, of Boise; sister, Laura (Kylan) Dennis, of Belfield, ND; sister, Christine (Rafael) Juarez, of Hailey; brother, Tom Wright (Kaley Belval), of Ketchum; Grandparents, Curt and Mary Wright, of Boise; Aunt Judie and Uncle Kevin Shaffer, of Phoenix; cousins, Kristopher and Mike Shaffer, of Phoenix; Uncle Donald and Aunt Julie Wright, of Boise; cousin, Justin Wright (Sydney), of Boise; Cousin Guy Klingler (Nikki), of Boise; and Great Aunt Francie and Great Uncle Chuck Link, of Boise.

Other people in Matthew’s life who were not relatives, but are considered family;  “Little Brother” Shayne Baker, of Boise; Matthew’s “Other Mother” Alisha Donahue (Matthew always said she gives THE BEST hugs.); “Grandma Debbie” Debbie Borah, Cara, Dennis, Caden, Coleton and Addilyn Kaler, all of Meridian; Kerri, Chad, Scarlett and Connor Neal, of Coeur d’Alene; Krehl, Jane, Taylor and Kaden Hill, of Salt Lake City Utah; and very good friends, Renton Estes and Alex Donahue.

There were many teachers over the years that helped make Matt the upstanding young man that he was; far too many to list, but we would like to mention a few that had an especially large impact on Matt’s life.  Gabe Garcia, who introduced Matthew to the world of photography and video. Matthew loved taking pictures and creating videos. Molly McCallum, who introduced Matthew to the standup bass and encouraged his love of music. She also introduced him to the world of mountain biking. Tyler Merryman and Jim McKenzie, who took a student who was merely interested in welding and ended up guiding him to what would be his passion.  Matthew loved welding, so much so that he had decided that it was going to be his career. He had it all planned out.  He was going to go to college and study welding.  Then he and Shayne would have their own welding business for about ten years.  Then they would teach welding to high school students, instilling in them that same passion that they had found in their classroom.  Actually, Matt had specifically indicated that he and Shayne would hold off on the teaching a bit until Mr. McKenzie and Mr. Merryman had retired so he wouldn't put them out of a job.

His final act of giving was perhaps his most selfless.  Matt was an organ donor, and when the time came, he was able to give of himself so that others might live.  A few months before his passing, Matt had occasion to show his father his driver’s license.  Dave noticed that Matt’s license said, “donor” on it, and Dave asked him why, “Why would you want to give your organs to someone else?”  Well, at that point it was on.  Matt held his ground, pointing out that he wasn’t going to need them any longer, so why not donate them.  Matt simply couldn’t comprehend why anyone wouldn’t choose to be an organ donor, and he let Dave know it!  Matt spoke so passionately about the subject that it was easy to see how truly important being a donor was to him.  Knowing his wishes, they were honored without hesitation.  Matthew’s heart, both of his kidneys, his liver, his corneas and various other tissues were harvested so they could be sent to people waiting for Matt to reach-out and touch their lives.

The family would like to thank the transplant team from OHSU. They worked around the clock for several days to find recipients for Matthew’s organs.  Due to the severity of the accident, Matt’s heart was very difficult to place, but the team found a recipient.  We are forever grateful for the tireless efforts that were put into seeing that Matt’s organs were put to good use.

A special thank you to Dr. Hill, Dr. Anderson, Nurse Taylor, Nurse Matthew, Nurse Monica and all of the other Doctors, Nurses and Staff in the St. Alphonsus Trauma Center and ICU.  They worked tirelessly to save our Matthew, and for that we will be forever grateful.

The family would like to encourage everyone to consider organ donation. If you need information regarding becoming a donor, please go to www.yesidaho.org or call 1-866-937-4324.  And be sure to tell everyone that you are a donor. Had Matthew not had that conversation with his mother and father about his wishes, they would have never have known.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please make a donation in Matt’s name to the Idaho Humane Society.  You can do so by clicking the donate button on their main webpage; www.idahohumanesociety.org.

Original Post:

Matthew Wright is a fun, young, charismatic young man.  He is full of love for his family and friends and has a wonderful family that loves him immensely.  Matt turned 18 in January and is a Senior at Capital High School and is graduating this May. 

On Saturday March 24th, 2018 Matt was in Idaho City working on his Senior project.  On his way back home he was in a devastating car wreck.   Matt was critically injured and a section of Idaho 21 was shut down for more than three hours after his vehicle and another collided near Lake Forest Drive. The crash occurred at about 4:30 Saturday afternoon. Matt is currently in ICU in critical condition. 

Matt's family and friends could use all your loving thoughts, prayers and support as he fights for his life. 

If you could support Matt's GoFundMe by making a donation and then sharing it with your network, we would greatly appreciate it.  We know money is always tight, so please know that even $5 helps with Matt's medical expenses as he fights for his life.

Thank you,
The Wright Family and Friends
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Donations 

  • Rachel Holtgard
    • $500 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Cara Borah Kaler
Organizer
Meridian, ID
Ann Wright
Beneficiary

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