Donald R. Wright

Our beloved Dad, WWII Combat Veteran, Donald Robert Wright, Maj., US Army, (Ret.), left this world to “Walk with our Lord” on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, after a short illness, with his loving daughters and Reggie, his constant faithful pup, by his side.

We celebrate this remarkable man in his remarkable life.

Born April 27, 1920 on a small farm in Donaldson, MN, Don was the youngest son of 7 children. He was born to Clark Ford Wright and Helen Matilda Curtiss Wright. As a child, Don attended a one room schoolhouse where he learned the 3 R’s. From his family though, he learned his lifelong Christian values and the experiences of daily farm life, especially while tending to his treasured horses, “Don and Dan”.

As the years passed, Don continued to excel by becoming an Eagle Scout in 1934 at the age of 14. While still in high school, Oak Park River Forest HS in Oak Park, IL, he enlisted in the Illinois National Guard, although his duties did not fully come to fruition until after high school graduation.

He bravely served his Country during WWII in the Pacific Theater, specifically on New Caledonia, Guadalcanal and the battle of Cape Esperance in 1942 - 1943. His oldest brother, Lt. Col. Wm. C. Wright, was KIA on Guadalcanal in Dec. 1942 and Don buried his brother on that island.

His brother’s grave was later visited by Eleanor Roosevelt in honor of the Country’s fallen during World War II; so aptly named “The Greatest Generation”.

When Don returned home from the war, he resumed his position as Draftsman at the Western Electric plant in Berwyn, IL. Several years later, Don was promoted to Engineer with the Bell Laboratory Systems. This promotion led to a transfer to OK to help establish the new Western Electric plant opening in Oklahoma City during 1957.

In 1941, Don married his cherished love, Alita Wilson, and became the parents of two daughters, Donna and Linda. As the years passed, Don’s life in OKC became most active. His accomplishments were numerous; however, his two proudest achievements were being an active Board of Director Member of the Weokie Credit Union for 27 years and an active Director on the Board of Education/Metro Technologies Centers for over 25 years. During several years, Don was Board President to both entities. Each gave him great pleasure in working with our City’s finest. Due to failing eyesight, Don elected to resign his positions on each of the Boards and was honored to be named Board Member Emeritus of both institutions.

Some of Don’s other interests include: Mentoring at Western Heights Elementary School for 7 years; Volunteering at Mercy Hospital; “Quilt of Valor” recipient in 2013; Participant in the 2nd “Oklahoma Honor Flight” to Washington, DC; Charter Member of the World War II Memorial, with attendance to the Memorial Dedication Ceremonies, May 2004; passionate about his Chicago Cubs baseball team and was exceedingly happy last year when his “Cubbies” finally won the World Series; he was also an avid and loyal OSU Cowboy fan; Don was a member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church for 44+ years, where he served on the Finance Committee, served as Sunday School Class President and was a Retired Fellowship Member; winner of “Lawn of the Month” numerous times in the Stonegate area with his immaculate front yard and a host of plants, vegetables, hanging baskets, trees, bird feeders, rock waterfall, fish pond, outdoor telephones, stereo speakers, brick counter with gas grill and patio cover in the backyard, all built by his own hands; a lifelong member of the Telephone Pioneers; honoree at the Americal Division Monument Dedication Ceremony, Ft. Sill, May 2017; active in his daughters’ Brownie and Girl Scout Troop activities in the 1950’s; was a member of the Gray Eagles; was instrumental in establishing the Aviation Career Center at Will Rogers Airport with Metro Tech and compiled a 160 page history of his experiences during WWII (1941 – 1945, Active Duty), which included hundreds of black and white photographs, authentic maps, newspaper articles, war correspondence, etc., with 1 copy given to the Oklahoma Historical Society and 1 copy given to the Pritzker Military Library, Chicago, IL in 2013.

His dear Alita passed away in 1972. However, in 1973, Don married Carol B. Casher and again found happiness.

In Oklahoma City, Don is lovingly survived by his two daughters, Donna Wright Hammond and Linda Wright Anders; Son-in-Law Jim Hammond; 3 Granddaughters, Dana Lieberman, Darcy Hammond and Dale Gomez; 6 Great-Grandchildren, James, Rachel, Riley, Ethan, Zachary and Hannah; and his beloved Nephews and Niece. Don is also survived by his wife Carol and her 3 daughters, Yvonne Najd (Said), California; Carol Ann Toomey (Jerry), Texas; Barbara Steele (Bill), So. Carolina and a host of relatives.

As we “Celebrate the Life” of this KIND, GENTLE, LOVING AND MARVELOUS MAN … we are confident our Lord is saying, “Well done thou good and faithful servant”.