Don E Wright

Don Erickson Wright was born in Georgetown, ID to very loving parents Charles Melvin and Hilda Wright on December 7, 1926. He was the second of 11 children, and the oldest brother. He enjoyed the small town, country life playing with his many siblings, riding horses, and caring for the animals. His lifelong work ethic began very early as he often labored in the hay fields lifting heavy bales onto the hay wagons and spent many harvest seasons picking potatoes in partnership with his older sister.

Don was a good student and graduated high school at the age of 17 in 1944. Soon after graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and was a radioman communicating in morse code and a turret gunner in the nose and tail of the seaplane. He was honorably discharged from the navy in August 1946.

After the navy, Don spent time training and running thoroughbred racehorses throughout the Northwest United States. He loved working with these beautiful animals and loved the thrill of the competition.

He continued his educational pursuits, first at Ricks College in ID, and then moved to Brigham Young University in UT where he graduated in 1950.

Don was dedicated to the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and in 1951, was called to serve a mission in southern California. He had leadership opportunities during his mission, where he assisted the younger elders in their missionary efforts. After serving faithfully, he returned home to ID. Soon after, he attended a missionary reunion in Salt Lake City where he reconnected with a sister missionary from his mission, a beautiful young lady named Donna. After a short courtship, they were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on October 16, 1952. Shortly thereafter, they started their family and soon had five little children.

They lived in Idaho, Washington, and Utah before moving to Texas where they lived happily for over 50 years. Don enjoyed a good career in sales and was able to provide well for his family. He traveled extensively for work but always made his wife and children his top priority. Don’s service in the church brought him great joy, and he shared his testimony through his many callings and especially loved teaching the gospel doctrine class. He and Donna were called to serve in the Dallas, TX temple upon its dedication in 1984. They received great joy with 40 years of service to the members and furthering this important work. They also served a second full-time mission as senior missionaries in the Dallas, TX mission.

Don was proceeded in death by his sweetheart, Donna. He is survived by their son Blake (Janie), and daughters Gayle (Doug), Donelle (A.L.), Ronda (Don), and Janice (Michael) and 17 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.

Don leaves behind a legacy of family, service, devotion, and love for his Savior that was evident to all who knew him. Sweet memories of him are treasured by his family and friends and all of those he so lovingly served throughout his life.