Traverse City Record-Eagle

Obituaries

September 17, 2012

Donald Ray Wright

LAKE ANN — Donald Ray Wright, 88, of Lake Ann passed away September 15, 2012, at his home.

Don was born on May 7, 1924, in Alma to the late Ray and Retha (Leonard) Wright.

Don was honorably discharged as a corporal in the United States Marines after serving from 1942 to 1945 in World War II.

On Oct. 23, 1948, Don married the former Lucille Schutt in Bay City.

Don was a plastics research and design engineer for Dow Chemical and retired after 40 years of faithful service.

In his spare time, Don enjoyed hunting, skiing, and fishing. He also liked to invent things and had 52 patents. He invented the first salt spreaders for Dow Chemical. He also invented spiral generation. This process makes round houses or structures as seen on the Park Place Dome and his home. Don was a member of the American Legion and Redeemer Lutheran Church in Interlochen.

Don is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Lucille; son, Dr. Kim (Colleen) Wright; daughter-in-law Carole Wright; granddaughters, Crystal (Lieutenant Matthew) Fetzner, Alexis, and Brianna; grandson, Nicholas; and granddaughter, Robyn (Marcus) Mead; great-grandchildren Riley and Keira Fetzner, Meredith, Madelyn, and Wesley Mead; sisters, Louise Whitson and Delores Franke; and many nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; son Robert and an infant son.

The funeral honoring Don's life will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 11 a.m. with visitation held one hour prior at Interlochen Redeemer Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at Greenbriar Cemetery where he will receive full military honors from VFW Cherryland Post #2780.

Memorial contributions in memory of Don may be directed to Hospice of Michigan which provided him and the family with excellent care over the past year, or to Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family.

The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

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