Donald E. Wright

Donald E. Wright passed away on August 7, 2011 in Newburg, OR. He was born in Dundee, Ill., October 12, 1924.

Don enlisted in the Air Force when he turned 18 in October 1942. He was a pilot in the South Pacific during World War II, flying B-29, B-45, B-52 and C-47 airplanes. He completed 30 missions over Tokyo. He also flew in the Berlin Airlift, flying from England to the U.S. sector of Berlin to avoid the Russian sector to bring supplies and food, coal, etc., needed by the Germans.

Upon returning from the Air Force in 1963, he moved to Moses Lake and was instrumental in building the flight program at Big Bend Community College and making it what it is today. He retired from BBCC in the late 1980s and continued to live in his home on the lake, which he built. He had bone cancer and needed to move with his wife to a retirement home in Newburg, OR, to be near his son Brian and his wife.

He was proceeded in death by his father Edward, mother Beulah, brother Jack and brother-in-law Bob Mason and nephew Gary Mason.

He is survived by his wife Alma June, and his son Steven and wife Susan and three children, Paul, Daniel and Jennifer in Albuquerque, NM; son Scott and wife Joyce in Edmonds, WA and son Brian and wife Molly in Dundee, OR. He was loved by his sister Peg Mason and her family.

Rest in pease Don.

There will be no service per his request.