July 22, 1928 - February 3, 2013
" 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!"
HARTWICK - Donald Eugene Wright, a resident of Otsego Manor, went to meet his Savior Sunday afternoon, February 3, 2013. He was 84.
A native of California, Don was born in San Diego July 22, 1928, a son of Ralph William and Dorothy Helen (Sneath) Wright.
On September 17, 1945, Don entered into active service in the United States Navy. and proudly served his country aboard the USS LST-611 (a tank landing ship), the USS Jason (a repair ship), and the USS Abnaki (the lead ship of fleet ocean tugs in the service of the Navy). He received his Honorable Discharge with the rank of Engineman Third Class on July 8, 1949, but then re-enlisted on August 25th. He served at the US Naval Air Station in Oakland until attaining the rank of Maintenance Mechanic Second Class and then received his Honorable Discharge August 24, 1953.
Don continued to live in California, where he met his future wife, Marilyn Louise Bergestrom. They were married June 7, 1969, by the Rev. Timothy F. LaHaye, an evangelical Christian minister and author of the "Left Behind" series.
During his years in California, Don was employed as an assembler for Rohr Aircraft in Roverdale. Later on Don and Marilyn lived in several places throughout the country, including Mississippi, and finally settled in Hartwick in the mid 1990s.
Don was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Hartwick, and enjoyed the Men's Bible Study group, which for the past few years met in Don's room at Otsego Manor so he could take part in their devotions. They always closed with Amazing Grace which Don, who loved southern gospel music, joined in singing.
He will be fondly remembered for his love of children, candy, a good practical joke, and a great sense of humor.
Don was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, who died January 4, 2002.
He is survived by his good friends, Debra and Grant Ward, of Hartwick, and his entire church family.
A Memorial Service will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 9, 2013, in the Chapel at Otsego Manor in Cooperstown with Pastor Phillip Sell of the First Baptist Church of Hartwick, officiating.
Later this spring, Don and Marilyn will be laid to rest together in Hartwick Cemetery.
The friends of Donald Wright offer their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to everyone at Otsego Manor for the kind, considerate, understanding and supportive care given to Don. They were his family.
Memorial gifts in Don's memory may be directed to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820, or the First Baptist Church of Hartwick, P. O. Box 276, Hartwick, NY 12248.
Arrangements are under the guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
A Memorial Service will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 9, 2013, in the Chapel at Otsego Manor in Cooperstown with Pastor Phillip Sell of the First Baptist Church of Hartwick, officiating.
Later this spring, Don and Marilyn will be laid to rest together in Hartwick Cemetery.
The friends of Donald Wright offer their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to everyone at Otsego Manor for the kind, considerate, understanding and supportive care given to Don. They were his family.
Memorial gifts in Don's memory may be directed to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820, or the First Baptist Church of Hartwick, P. O. Box 276, Hartwick, NY 12248.
Arrangements are under the guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.
