Donald “Don” L. Wright, 83, Indianapolis, passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Monday, December 10, 2018. He was born in Delaware County on March 4, 1935, to Loren and Wanda (Clements) Wright.
Don was a graduate of Jefferson High School in Upland. It was on June 29, 1955, that he married his sweetheart, Linda L. Lehman, and they raised three children, Nickeletta, Tracy, and Ramona in the Matthews area. Don worked as a machine operator at Owens-Illinois in Gas City and retired after 42 years of service. During those years, he had worked with the Civil Defense for 12 years in Matthews. After his retirement, he wasn’t content to sit at home, so he drove cars for Mike Anderson Chevrolet for 6 years and loved going to flea markets.
Don loved his family immensely and enjoyed spending time with them. He always enjoyed the camping trips they took which spanned over 30 years. Many great memories were made not only with family but also with the friends they shared these times with. His three-week trip out west with Linda in 1998 was a vacation they cherished. Don will also be remembered for his great humor and contagious laugh. In the words of his daughter, “Until that day, I will tell your jokes and make everyone laugh and have a better day the way you used to, just by being you! You were a wonderful father!”
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Linda; children, Nickeletta (Larry) Smallwood, OH, Tracy Wright, Indianapolis, and Ramona (Don) DeHart, Indianapolis; grandchildren, Jacob (Toni) Smallwood, OH, Alissa (Brandon) Bowles, TX, Alex Fisher, TX, Mitch DeHart, Indianapolis, and Melissa (Todd) Goldman, Indianapolis; 8 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; brother-in-law, Bob McCoy, AL; and niece, Debra Slater, AL.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia McCoy.
Family and friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Don’s funeral service beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, Storey Chapel, 400 E. Main St., Gas City, IN. Pastor Joe Ruberg will be officiating with burial following at Matthews Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the church he was a member of for over 30 years, First Community Church, 131 W. 7th St., Matthews, IN 46957.
Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.