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Don E. Wright © Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home 01-2016 Submitted by: Jo Aguirre
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A Celebration of Life for Don E. Wright, 82, of Enid, will be 10:00 AM Tuesday , January 19, 2016 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, where Don was a member. The Reverend Wade Burleson will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be Monday, January 18, 2016 from 6-7 pm at the funeral home.
Don was born west of Goltry on March 22, 1933 to Orville E. and Patti M. (Mourer) Wright and died on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at his home, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. Don attended schools in Goltry, graduating in 1951. As an adolescent Don was a gifted athlete; he excelled in basketball, baseball, track and water skiing which he was known to do barefoot without skis. Following high school he attended Enid Business College, graduating in 1953 with a diploma in General Accounting. After serving two years in the United States Army he attended Oklahoma State University for two years and then transferred to Northwestern Oklahoma State University, graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics in 1960.
Don began working for Champlin Petroleum in 1960 as a systems analyst, when computers took up an entire room. He was instrumental in automating Champlin’s data - a true business technology pioneer.
In 1963 he met Hazel Hardy, a nursing student at the time, while visiting his grandfather in the hospital. It was love at first sight; they got engaged after just two weeks and married four months later. Within the year they welcomed their first child. Two more children, followed.
Throughout his life, his passion was farming, so when talking to him it was typical for him to tell time by "before harvest, during harvest or after harvest." It was not unusual for him to load up all three of his young children and take them to the farm with him. They fondly remember him leading them in "You are my sunshine" on those drives. Over the years many of the children and grandchildren helped on the farm.
As a former athlete Don eagerly participated in the foot races between his children and their friends; he never slowed his pace, typically winning, and providing a good life lesson. You have to work hard to win.
The Wright family traveled around the United States and when the children were little the trips were made in the family station wagon. Don tended to be a little impatient, exemplified by their trip to the Grand Canyon. The family gazed at the beautiful canyon for approximately 10 minutes, after which Don said, "Okay, we've seen it, let's go!"
In the mid 80’s the oil business went through a slump, resulting in a family move to Texas. Throughout their six years in Texas, Don drove back to Enid most weekends so that he could check on the farm and his elderly mother. After working for Champlin for thirty years, Don retired at age 57, and he and Hazel returned to Enid. The two took many wonderful trips over the years, with Hawaii and western Canada being among the favorites.
Being a grandfather was a great source of pleasure for Don. Since he was retired he was able to play a very active role; he was a stand-in nanny for his youngest daughter. He changed diapers and later transported her children to school. As with his own children he was strict with his grandchildren, and they still talk about getting "the look" from Grandpa. Don retired from farming in 2006, although until a week before he passed he was worrying about the weather and the area crops. Their farm is leased out, but Don frequently gave (unsolicited) advice to his cousin who farms it.
Don and Hazel celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends in 2013. His children reflected on a happy union of two people who truly were best friends. When they first married Don told Hazel he would give her 50 good years. He was true to his word, only slowing down for illness after that mile marker. Hazel, a retired RN, provided loving nursing care to Don until the very end. They were also blessed with help from Grace Care, and Don came to love his caregivers with whom he had many lengthy political discussions. His wisdom and loyalty will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Surviving are his wife Hazel; one son, Russell Wright of Coalgate, Oklahoma; a daughter and a son-in-law, David and Karen Wright Arms of Oklahoma City; a daughter, Connie Wright of Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren; and three step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Orville E. Wright; his mother, Patti M. Wright; and his four sisters, Patsy Crain, Dott Donnell, Vera Scott and Mary Ann Wright.
Memorials may be made to the Parkinson Foundation of Oklahoma via their website, parkinsonoklahoma.com or by mail at: 720 W. Wilshire Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK 74136, Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home will serve as custodian of the funds. Online condolences may be made and viewing of the service at www.ladusauevans.com .
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