Donald Lavern Wright

Donald Lavern Wright, age 97, died peacefully of natural causes on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at Good Samaritan Society - Manzano del Sol Village, in Albuquerque, NM.

Don was born on April 14, 1925, in Elkton City in Marshall Township, Mower County, Minnesota to parents, Ray and Hilda (Besser) Wright. He attended Grand Meadow High School, earned his bachelor's degree from Mankato State, and his master's degree from Greeley Colorado.

Don was a devoted husband and a loving father. He married Doris Lucille Nelson in Steele, MN on June 28, 1958, and they had one child, Howard Nicholas Wright, and one daughter-in-law, Margaret M. Wright (Paschen). Don had two grandchildren, Erik N. Wright and Christiana Kelly (Wright); three great-granddaughters, Fiona Wright, Sydney Eloise Wright, Chyann Kelly; and one great-grandson, Colbe Kelly. Don had many dearly loved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ray Wright of Grand Meadow, MN; mother, Hilda (Besser) Wright of Grand Meadow, MN; wife, Doris Lucille Nelson; brothers, Robert Raymond Wright of Moorhead, MN, and Gerald James Wright of King City, OR; sisters, June Lavonne Kramer (Wright) of Austin, MN, and Aurel Rae Rieken (Wright) of Murrieta, CA.

Don is survived by his brother, Alan Gene Wright (94) of Mission, TX; sister, Barbara Lee Burros (Wright) (85) of Nevis, MN; brother-in-law, Carsten Burros; sister-in-law, Jo Ann Wright of King City, OR; son, Howard Nicholas Wright; and daughter-in-law, Margaret M. Wright (Paschen) of Park City, Utah; grandson, Erik N. Wright, (Lindsey Beatrice Wright (Masukawa) of San Diego, CA; granddaughter, Christiana Kelly (Wright) (Charles Kelly) of Colorado; three great-granddaughters, Fiona Wright, Sydney Eloise Wright, and Chyann Kelly; and one great-grandson, Colbe Kelly.

Don was a WWII Veteran. He was chosen for the US Naval Academy at Annapolis but after WWII decided against more war. His ship, the Cruiser USS Honolulu, was bombed and torpedoed in the Pacific Ocean, and he'd seen enough tragedy. Don was faithful to God and his family, and he was an amazing mixture of toughness, kindness, and generosity, with a great dry sense of humor.

He was (and is) loved dearly by all his family and friends, which he had many of! He will be greatly missed!

Per Donald's wishes, no services will be held.