Donald LeRoy Wright

Donald LeRoy Wright was born on August 12, 1940, to Grace and Joseph Wright. He returned to his Heavenly Father and beloved wife, Marjorie, on April 22, 2023, after a struggle with dementia. Dad had three siblings, Judith Ann (Fred) Leisten, Wayne (Joyce) Wright, and Robert Schoberth (Bonnie).
While growing up, Dad lived in several parts of Southern California and Reno Nevada. As a young boy he was mischievous, always getting himself in trouble. But on Sundays, he would put his best shirt on and walk by himself to the church on the corner.
He graduated from Compton High School in 1958 and promptly joined the Navy. He loved serving his country from the north and south poles, and Vietnam. It was during his leave from the Navy when he met his father’s secretary, Marjorie Palmer. The two fell fast in love. Because dad was not a member of the church, Marjorie’s parents sought counsel on whether to support a marriage or not. Knowing they were soon moving to Hawaii, they were told to let the two marry and the Polynesian people would love him into the church. They were married on November 22, 1961.
Dad and Marjorie fell quickly in love with the Polynesian people. While in Hawaii, Dad was called to be the Bishop of the Waipahu II Ward. He loved serving his ward members and they loved him as their Bishop. He started attending choir practice. One Sunday, the choir director couldn’t stand it any longer. She told Dad to stick with being the bishop and she would take care of the choir. He was quickly uninvited to sing in the choir from that point on.
Dad retired from the military after 20 years of service and promptly sought employment at USU. After several years, he graduated with a communications degree. The thing most telling about this is that he was a rabid BYU fan. He wasn’t concerned one bit while he walked the campus at USU while wearing his BYU hat.
Dad held many callings in Hawaii and Logan, including young married leader, gospel doctrine teacher, Bishop, Counselor to the Stake President, and home teacher. Dad was a marvelous teacher and enjoyed the process of study as much as the presentation. He and Mom served four missions: Seattle, WA, South Korea, Employment Center in Layton and Kaneohe, HI.
Never losing his mischievous side, he was lovingly known for his hijinks. His Hawaiian ward members fondly recall having to fetch their flip flops from the roof after tossing them up when no one was looking. Others remember having to dodge him on their yearly campouts to the Hukilau Grounds as he found no greater pleasure than throwing unsuspecting members into the ocean, clothes and all. His children will never forget the silly guessing games they played trying to “figure” out his spaghetti sauce secret ingredient. (Mushrooms. It was always mushrooms!)
Dad and Marjorie had six children together: Kayelani Huff (Marlene), Julie Clawson (John), Alan, Karie Johnson (Brent), Chad Wright (Melissa), and Marianne Rahimzadegan (Bahy). He is lovingly known as Poppy to Mila, Cyrus, Kadence, Andrew, Spencer, Marcus, Kaelynne, Jason, Cache, Cheyenne, Jensin, Ty, Tanner, Trevor, Jaxon, William, Emily, Madelyn, Carson, Holden, Makenzie, Kylie, and Kevin. He considered Reuel and Lisa as part of his family.
Dad is preceded in death by his parents and wife Marjorie. He is survived by his brothers and sister, children, and grandchildren. We want to thank Marilyn Holly as well as the many aides and nurses that cared for Dad while he lived at Fairfield Village. He loved those that cared for him and always had a smile or one of his sayings to brighten their day. He was often heard telling them he was in great shape for the shape he was in.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 28th at 12 pm in the Cache Stake Center, 280 West 1200 North, with a viewing beginning at 10 am. Arrangements by Allen-Hall Mortuary. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery with Military Honors. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.allenmortuaries.com