AZ1 Donald Francis Wells, USN (RET)

AZ1 Donald Francis Wells, USN, (RET), 88, of Homosassa, FL, passed away on Fri., Feb. 6, 2026 at Royal Dalton House in Homosassa. A native of Wichita, KS, he was born Oct. 23, 1937 to Francis Wells and Gladys (Shofler) Wells Tuders (husband Gene), one of two children. Donald served his country honorably and proudly in the United States Navy for 20 years, attaining the rank of Aviation Maintenance First Class Petty Officer. He then enjoyed a long career serving as an industrial engineer with Boeing, Inc. Don and his beloved wife of 57 years, Lesley Wells, lived in Wichita from 1979 to 2015, when they moved to The Villages, FL and coming to Homosassa in 2021. Don was of the Christian faith and as a physically fit man, loved individual sports such as handball, table tennis and then tennis, a sport he enjoyed often even until the age of 78. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother John J. Wells. In addition to his loving wife of 57 years, Lesley Wells, Homosassa FL, Donald is survived by his children: Lori Brown (husband Kevin),Young Harris, GA and Mindi Stipp (husband Wade), Round Rock TX; grandchildren Bailey Carter (fiancé Shaun Messmer), Wichita KS; Taylor Hansen (husband Matthew), Millbrook AL; Connor Barvais (wife Savannah), Newton KS; Avery Stipp (fiancé Grant Whistler), Fort Worth, TX; Peyton Stipp (fiancé Brady Wootton), McLean VA and Jack Stipp, Round Rock TX; great grandchildren Corbin Sullivan Wichita KS; Emmalene Messmer, Wichita KS; Luna Barvais, Newton KS; Weylyn Barvais, Newton KS; Kallan Hansen, Millbrook AL and Halden Hansen, Millbrook AL. Friends will be received on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 at Macrini-Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, FL from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM, where a Celebration of Donald’s life will begin at 11:00 AM. Military honors will follow at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL at 1:30 P.M. with The United States Navy and American Legion Post #155 rendering honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association in Donald’s name are kindly requested. Macrini-Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, Florida.