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
Sussie Wright says:
March 7, 2006
This is Sussie, your wife, and I miss you, and you were a wonderful husband and father and we had many good memories together, we were very happy, and I sure will miss you. God Bless you.
Kim Wright says:
March 8, 2006
Grandpa had the best stories – I don’t know how he remembered every detail…down to the name of his 2nd Grade teacher, and his classmates. He had a great sense of humor, and a huge heart. When we were little, he used to let us “shoot” at his deer head with his shotgun using tissue paper “bullets”, and he would make us rubber-band shooters too. The smell of sawdust will always remind me of him. I also remember him playing the harmonica and the juice harp, and he was always singing or whistling – he was a man of many talents! I love you, Grandpa and will miss you soooo much. Love, Kim
kevin rentch says:
March 9, 2006
Trying to write a few paragraphs describing my memories of grandpa is very difficult. He was such a loving,caring and great man that you could write a book.
He was the best grandfather that anyone could have. Grandpa always told the best stories and was always a good listener. Much of my greatest memories are when I was younger and would come out from Arizona for all the school breaks and summer. Kristen and I would go there every week for a couple days and I always looked forward to it. Grandpa would spend hours in his garage and always making special items for all his family members. Kim took the words out of my mouth when she said that the smell of sawdust always reminds her of grandpa. One of my other greatest memories is when I was 7-8 and Grandpa and I recorded our conversation on a blank audio tape. I feel so lucky to have it still and listen to it often. Also, when we were camping and the two of us were hiking and were stranded on this big hill for hours. We had so many foxtails in our socks that it took grandma forever to take them out.
I am so proud that my wife Amy and son Zachary got to know him. Even though Zach is only 18 months, he would love seeing his grandpa and playing with him. Zach got the greatest gift in the world when grandpa made him a classic rocking horse, while fighting cancer at the same time.
Grandpa was a man of incredible faith and he knew exactly where he was going when he passed away. We will all miss him so much and one day we will all be together again.
Grandpa was so proud of everyone in his family. We all meant everything to him, and he meant everything to us. Love, Kevin
Chris Wright says:
March 13, 2006
I do not have the words in me to express the love I have for my father. I had the honor to be able to work for my dad who taught me the art of wood working and all the values a young man needs in life. I did finally learn to apply them to my life and are ever thankfull. I have so many memories there is no way I could list them here. I have many things in my house my dad either made for me or gave me and each time I look at them I will think of him. My dad had touched the lives of so many people and helped those in need so much, I am so proud to be his son. I already miss him.
Eric Omli says:
March 13, 2006
May the Lord be with the Wright family at theese trying times