Donald Wright
April 11, 1936 — October 11, 2017
Age 81, of Rio Rancho passed away peacefully surrounded by family after a short battle with cancer. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland to Alexander and Marie Wright on April 11th, 1936. A few years after the end of WWII his parents immigrated to Toronto, Canada and later to Philadelphia, PA where he finished high school. He received his bachelor’s degree from Drexel Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. from Case Institute of Technology (now Case Western Reserve), both in physics. During this time, he married his first wife and had three children, Gregory, Dana, and Donald. His post-doctoral work took him to the University of Oregon and he later joined the faculty of Portland State University. In 1972, he married his second wife, Patricia Scoggins, and adopted her son Patrick John “PJ” Wright. Donald and Pat relocated to Los Alamos, NM where he was employed by EG&G Energy Measurements Group. His work at EG&G as on the atmospheric effects of nuclear explosions, both at high and low altitudes. Later he moved to Las Vegas, NV becoming a classification officer supporting the Department of Energy’s Nevada Operations. Donald possessed a keen intellect and was still reading physics up until his passing. He loved cats and dogs and his home usually had several. Most importantly he cherished his friends and family. Donald was predeceased by wife Patricia and daughter Dana. He is survived by his three sons, grandchildren Elizabeth Wright, Chris Grubbs and his wife Marilyn, Joe Grubbs and his wife Allyson, Clark Wright, Nathan Wright and great grandchildren Christian and Giuliana Grubbs. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 18th, 2017, at 2:00pm at the FRENCH - Westside. The family would like to thank the caregivers from Comfort Keepers at Rio Grande Retirement in Rio Rancho for their thoughtfulness and compassion. In lieu of flowers donations can be given in Donald Wright’s name to the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org. Please visit our online guestbook for Donald at www.FrenchFunereals.com.
FRENCH – Westside
9300 Golf Course Rd NW
505-897-0300