Obituary

Donald R. "Don" Wright, 83, died Dec. 30, 2010, at University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, N.M. He was born June 30, 1927, in Walton, to Harvey J. and Elsie Worthington Wright. Don was raised in Walton and Marion. He lived in Sterling from 1950-1955, lived in Hutchinson since 1955 and he and his wife lived part-time in Taos, N.M. since 2001. He attended school at Marion High School and Emporia State University. He worked for Clark Electric in Sterling, Ks, Bostich Stapler and Montgomery Wards in Hutchinson, and retired after a 30 year career as a manufacturing engineer with Cessna Corp. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He was a longtime volunteer at the Hutchinson Public Library, and former president of the Friends of the Library, volunteer at the Hutchinson Art Association and former chairman and helped organize the first Outdoor Art Fair. Don also participated as a jewelry craftsman in art fairs throughout Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri and Oklahoma for 35 years. He was the former president and member of the Cessna Aircraft Employees Club and past chairman of the annual Hutchinson "Spirit of Christmas" charity. He served in the US Navy on a minesweeper in China and Japan during World War II.
On Aug. 21, 1949, he married Jennieta (Jinx) Hoyt in Lyons. She survives. Other survivors include: daughters, Lisa Wright, Taos, and Connie Schlelein and husband Bill, Avon, Colo.; brothers, Bill, Newton, and John, Hesston; sisters, Alice Wagner, Newton, and Virginia Pientka, Hesston.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Harold.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, at the Carey Park Community Building, Hutchinson. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. A private family graveside service will be held in Walton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Hutchinson Public Library or the Hutchinson Art Center, in care of the mortuary. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the many friends who expressed their support and sympathy in so many ways. To leave a condolence or remembrance for his family please visit www.elliottmortuary.com.