Donald McKay Wright
May 03, 1916 - February 28, 2006
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Donald McKay Wright
May 03, 1916 - February 28, 2006
Obituary
Donald McKay Wright, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, born May 3, 1916, passed away at home on February 28th, 2006 in Laguna Woods, California.
Don was born in Park Rapids, Minnesota to Harvey and Ida Wright. He grew up in Park Rapids and graduated from Park Rapids H.S. in 1934. He spent two years in the CCC and four years in the construction business prior to joining Battalion G of the National Guard. On February 10, 1941 he was called into active service where he served as Ordinance Recovery Officer lieutenant with the 78th Infantry Division in Europe. During his service he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was separated from the service Army in November 1945. On July 7th, 1942 he married Sussie Christensen in Oakland, CA.
He was owner and operator of Compton Store Fixtures in Compton, California for 30 years, a business which designed and manufactured custom store fixtures. Upon his retirement he sold real estate for 10 years, ?for fun?. He and wife, Sussie raised their four children in Compton and Long Beach, CA. In 1991 he and Sussie moved to the pine covered hills of Prescott, AZ where they built a new home. They moved back to Laguna Hills, CA in 2004.
Don loved his family, trailering, woodworking and his church. He was a lifelong Baptist, raising his family and attending Calvary Baptist Church in Long Beach for 40 years, then Bethel Baptist Church in Prescott Valley, AZ. Don once wrote, ?My wife, kids, grandkids, great-grandkids and all of their spouses mean more to me than anything else in this world. I pray everyday that God will watch over them and that we will all spend eternity together in Heaven?. He would like us all to remember the promise of John 3:16? ?For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life?.
Surviving Don are his wife, Emma ‘sussie? Wright; sons, Donald ?Pete? Wright and Chris Wright; daughters Linda Tobin and Joyce Wright; grandchildren Kim Wright, Jeff Wright, Greg Tobin, Kevin Rentch and Kristen Rentch; great-grandchildren Summer Wright, Savannah Wright, Davis Peterson and Zachary Rentch; Sister Grace Storey. Preceding him in death were his parents; brother Laurie; sisters Bernice, Florence and Joyce.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 18th, 2006 ~ 11:00 A.M. at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA.
He will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts and memories.
18 responses to Donald McKay Wright
DEBORAH E. LABONTE says:
March 6, 2006
Our Prayers and thoughts are with Don’s family through this time of saying goodbye..
The Lord is close by…
Ed & Debi LaBonte
Grace Anne and Dale Kind says:
March 6, 2006
Uncle Don was always a “fun” uncle to visit with. He always told such funny stories, along with my dad, his brother. My husband particularly enjoyed the war stories he shared. He did it with a lot of humor.
I think he was always a kind man, also, and a willing servant for any one in need. He will definitely be missed but he has gone on to a far better place where we will each join him one day.
Love,
Grace Anne, Dale and family
Joyce Wright says:
March 7, 2006
There are not words to express the love and respect I have for my dad. I will miss him terribly every day of my life, but I will remember that his deepest wish was for his family’s happiness. And he will live in my heart always. I hope and pray he is at peace, and filled with a joy that exceeds anything we can conceive of. Thanks for being such a great DAD. I love you. Joyce
Karen McClory says:
March 7, 2006
What a lovely article and a remarkable life. I’m sure you will all miss him so much. A beautiful family is the best legacy one could hope to leave.
With thoughts and prayers for your comfort and peace.
xo
Kim’s friend, Karen
Linda Tobin says:
March 7, 2006
I was always so proud of my dad, proud because everyone loved him so. He would do anything for his family and friends, devoting so much time to projects for his church and always willing to lend a helping hand to all of us kids when we needed or wanted anything.
I was so moved by his sentimentality. He saved so many little thing that were meaningful. Things the grandkids made for him hung for years in his workshop. He thought far ahead, making inlaid tables for all the kids and grandkids, inlaid jewelryboxes for the great granddaughters, and the last thing he made was a big rocking horse for his youngest greatgrandchild, Zachary, taking a long time to do it as he battled his cancer.
There are so many things to remember Dad for, two which I treasure so much. In 1955 when I was 11 he took me alone to Minnesota on a plane. It was the summer I remember, meeting all my aunts, uncles and cousins. A time of fishing, eating fresh corn from the garden, using the outhouse, bathing in a round tin tub with water heated from the woodstove,pumping water on the back porch, eating Grandma’s fresh baked bread, blueberry picking, and getting a lot of soda pop! 40 years later he took me on a trip to Conn. to visit my aunt and uncle, Grace and Harold, where we had such a wonderful time being together. Dad was always full of love and encouragement. I thank God for letting us have him in our lives for so many years.