Donald (Don) V. Wright

Donald (Don) V. Wright, 92, went to his eternal rest on July 21, 2017, at Sunset Villa Care Center in Roswell, NM. Viewing will be held on Sunday, July 23, 2017, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home in Roswell, NM, at 2609 South Main St. Funeral Services will be held Monday, July 24, 2017, 4:00 PM at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Tim Arlett will officiate. Interment will occur on Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at 10:00 AM at South Park Cemetery. A tribute of Don’s life may be found at www.andersonbethany.com where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for his family. Don was born June 4, 1925, in Chase County, Nebraska, in his parents' farm house. Don was the sixth and last child of William Ferd Wright and Elva Irene Akers Wright. He spent his younger years working on the farm, riding horses, and playing with his two older brothers. At the age of eighteen, Don joined the U.S. Navy during World War II and served 3 1/2 years as a Navy signalman in many parts of the Pacific Ocean. He saw battle, serving on the USS Sierra and USS Ault, and was on the USS Flint when it served as escort and security for the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay when Japan surrendered in 1945. Don left the Navy in March 1946, with an Honorable Discharge and several medals. Returning to Nebraska, he worked in construction, as a farm laborer, and as a hardware store clerk in Wauneta. The owner of the store was also a mortician and Don worked as his assistant for a short time. In 1949, Don met his future bride, Irene Crapson, and they married on October 9, 1949. Two children were born to this union, Phyllis Faye and David Lynn. Don continued as a farm laborer until 1953, when the family moved to Denver, Colorado, where he worked as a driver for the city bus line. Don held that position until 1959, when the family moved to Ogden, Utah, and he became an employee of the U.S. Postal Service. In 1965, the postal terminal was phased out, requiring another move, this time to Roswell, NM. Don retired in 1989, with thirty years of service. Don and Irene took up square dancing, where he liked the ‘dosey does’ and especially the yellow rocks. They also enjoyed traveling with their fifth wheel RV, and went to many parts of the U.S. They particularly enjoyed their time in Why, Arizona, and made many friends along the way. Don often enjoyed telling stories of the old days and his many adventures. One of the family's favorite pictures is of Don on a "Sit n Spin" with granddaughter Jenny. Don is survived by Irene, his wife of 67 years; daughter, Phyllis (Wayne) Kemp, of Artesia, NM; son, Dave (Susanne) Wright, of Shingle Springs, CA; grandchildren: Jennifer (Dino) Wilcox, of Roswell, NM, Sam Wright, of Shingle Springs, CA; great-grandchildren: Breanna Tunell of Albuquerque, NM, Sean, Seth, and Scot Henry of Roswell, NM. He is also survived by his last sibling brother, Loran (Irene) Wright, of Palisade, NE; many nieces and nephews; and brother-in-law, Jack Crapson, of Olympia, WA. Don was preceded in death by his parents: William Ferd and Elva Irene Wright; sisters: infant Susan, Beulah (Howard) Meyer, Esther (Virgil) Fanning; brother, Harold (Verlene) Wright; several nieces and nephews. Don was a lifetime member of the VFW, Roswell Elks Lodge #969, Cactus Sam's, and of Roswell's Senior Circle. Many thanks to all of the special people at Sunset Villa for their compassionate care of Don. This tribute was lovingly written in honor of Don by his family. “Those we love Remain with us, For love itself lives on, And cherished memories never fade Because a loved one's gone... Those we love Can never be More than a thought apart, For as long as there is memory, they'll live on in the heart.”

Donald (Don) V. Wright

June 4, 1925 - July 21, 2017