Darren H. Wright

Darren Harold Wright

June 19, 1993 - March 1, 2026

Darren Harold Wright, age 32, passed away suddenly on March 1, 2026, leaving his family and friends heartbroken.

Darren was born on June 19, 1993, in Fairbanks, Alaska, to Agnes "Aggie" Esmailka Wright and Joseph Francis Wright Sr. He was raised in Ruby, Alaska, surrounded by family and community. After the passing of his mother when he was two years old, Darren and his sister Nicole went to live with their Aunt Ginger and Uncle Jay Delima. Later that year, Ginger and Jay had their daughter Kady, and the three grew up side by side as siblings. Ginger and Jay lovingly raised them and remained a constant source of love and support throughout their lives.

Darren attended Merreline A. Kangas School in Ruby before spending one year in Albuquerque, New Mexico, living with his sister Jenasey and attending Desert Ridge Middle School. While there, he took up skateboarding, snowboarding, and karate. He later attended Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka, Alaska, where he graduated in 2012. While attending school in Sitka, he returned home to Ruby for the summers. During one of those summers, he spent time on the North Fork of the Innoko River helping build a shelter cabin as part of a Bureau of Land Management project along the historic Iditarod Trail, funded through the efforts of the late Richard Strick.

After high school, Darren spent a summer working as a pet groomer at Petco, a job that suited him well because he loved animals and had a natural connection with them. Animals seemed to love him just as much as he loved them. During that time, he also spent one season working on a wildfire crew in the Lower 48.

Darren continued his education at the Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) in Seward, Alaska, where he earned certifications in Plumbing and Heating as well as Carpentry. Following his training, he spent time in Galena, Alaska, helping with rebuilding efforts after the devastating flood, assisting with home rehabilitation and cleanup for families in the community.

Hardworking and independent, Darren took pride in supporting himself and saved enough money to pay cash for both his first and second vehicles. He later moved to Fairbanks and began a long career with the Fairbanks Native Association, where he worked as a Facilities Maintenance Coordinator and was known for his strong work ethic and willingness to help wherever he was needed. During his time there, Darren was recognized as Employee of the Month on two occasions for his dedication and hard work.

Darren enjoyed working with his hands and building things. He further developed those skills by attending a log cabin construction course at Folk School Fairbanks, where he learned traditional full-scribe log building techniques. During the course, students built an 18-foot by 18-foot log structure from the ground up, learning log selection, scribing, and notch cutting. Cabins built through this program are often completed in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and used as public use cabins.

Darren was always ready to help when someone needed it. Whether it was dog sitting, house sitting, helping with home repairs, or simply showing up when family or friends needed a hand, he was someone people could rely on. Even after he had his own place, he often stayed on his sister's couch just to spend more time with his nieces Lucya and Addisyn, whom he loved dearly. Darren loved being around family in general but especially cherished his nieces and nephews. Many other children also called him "Uncle" - the children of family and friends - because he had a special way of making every child feel welcome and cared for.

He was always up for an adventure and rarely turned down a chance to go somewhere new or try something different. Darren was a great friend to many and had a natural charisma that drew people to him. He had a way of making everyone around him feel seen, welcomed, and loved.

Darren was preceded in death by his mother, Agnes "Aggie" Esmailka Wright; his father, Joseph Francis Wright; his grandfather, Arnold John; his godfather, Brother Kirby Boone, OFM; and his uncles Harold "Punky" Esmailka Jr., Thomas "Tommy" Esmailka, John Charles Esmailka, Eugene Wright, and Bryan Wright.

He is survived by his grandparents, Harold and Florence Esmailka and Martha Wright; his aunt and uncle, Ginger and Jay Delima, who raised Darren; his stepmother, Elaine Wright; his sisters, Jenasey (Louie) Carlo, Nicole (Daniel D.) Wright, Kady (Nate) Kosydar, and Sadie Wright; his brothers, Joseph Wright Jr. and Sullivan Wright; his nieces, Lucya Carlo, Addisyn Carlo, and Phebe Decker; his nephews, Tyson Decker, Daniel III Decker, Connor Decker, Ryder Kriska, and Mataeo Kriska; his aunts, Cynthia (Dale) Erickson, Deanna (Timbre) Houlton, Yvonne Wright Adams, and Elizabeth (Arnold Jr.) Captain; his uncles, James Esmailka, James (Natalie) Wright, Brian (Liz) Wright, Cody Wright, and Ellis Wright; his cousins, Kailey Erickson, Steevie Erickson, Landon Erickson, Chanel Esmailka, Gianna Cleaver, Bria Cleaver, Tamera Captain, Francis Captain Jr., Autumn Cantu, Krystal Birk, Melvin Captain, Annie Wright, Allison Rosenstein, Jena Harding, Tori Stein, Rick Folger Jr., Mia Wright, Angela Wright, Ariel Wright, Shawna Wright, Julie Wright, James Wright Jr., and Emily Jones; and many friends who loved him dearly.

Darren will be remembered for his kindness, humor, and big heart, and will live on in the memories of all who knew and loved him.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to everyone for their love, prayers, and support during this difficult time.