Keith Melville Wright

Keith M. Wright peacefully passed away in his sleep on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at his home, succumbing to congestive heart failure. He was surrounded by his loving daughter Shannon and granddaughter Samantha at the time of his passing. Keith is now reunited with his wife, Sally Wright.

Born on August 1, 1940, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Oregon, Keith was the son of Anna and Melville Wright. Growing up in Aloha, Oregon, he graduated from Beaverton High School. He later attended Portland State University.

Keith was a Lumber Legend, dedicating 70 years to the wood business. He began his journey at 14, driving trucks and selling lumber while enjoying cigars in Aloha, Oregon lumberyard. This early experience led him to the Bohemia Lumber Company at their Culp Creek Mill in Culp Creek, Oregon. By age 30, Keith had moved to Eugene, Oregon, where he spent the next 25 years as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Bohemia Inc. 

After a long and successful career at Bohemia, he founded Laminated Wood Systems, traveling the world selling Lam Beams. Later, he joined the late Dick Tinney at Washington Alder to lead that sales team. Keith had a remarkable ability for spotting sales talent, dedicating himself to training, mentoring and championing professionals both male and female into the wood business. Many of these individuals went on to have successful careers, even owning their own companies and becoming leaders in the industry.

Keith kept in touch and continued to help anyone who asked for it throughout his life. His influence will carry on long after he is gone. Keith’s work ethic was unmatched, he could outwork anyone. He enjoyed closing deals up until the end of his life. Always driven by a desire to help others succeed.  Keith’s legacy in the wood business is one of dedication, respect, mentorship, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

He is survived by his loving extended family: Sister, Margaret Schribner and her husband Jack, Shannon and Walt Bateman, Ken and Anki Wright, Vince Wright, Diana and John Murray, William and Tanya Davis, and Heidi and Bill Pollock. 

Keith was a proud grandfather to many grandchildren; Logan and Samantha Bateman, Joseph Murray and his wife Shantel, Michael Murray and his wife Shelby, Zachary Wright and his wife Alexis, Sebastian Wright, Keanu Davis, Tatiana Lambooy and her husband Ian, Brent Pollock and his wife Julie, Billy Pollock and his fiancée Kayleigh Phillips, and John Pollock. Keith also leaves behind seven great-grandchildren. 

Keith will be fondly remembered for his infectious laughter, his love of red wine, cigars, and his enjoyment of a perfectly cooked rare steak.

Keith was interned at West Lawn Memorial Park.

Please join us to celebrate the life of Keith M. Wright Sunday, April 6 at the Eugene Country Club at 11:30 AM