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WRIGHT -- Donald Lee Wright (Ret) M/SGT, a resident of Albuquerque, passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2009 and was born in Long Beach, CA on August 16, 1933, and raised on Catalina Island, CA to Freda Grace Wagner and Owen Wright. He is survived by his wife, Mary Wright, of the family home; daughters, Michele DeJong and husband, Ralph, and Stacy Wright; son, Steve Wright and wife, Elaine; grandchildren, Joshua Chiles, Andrea Chapman and husband, Chris, Alicia Chiles, Anthony Kleinhenz, Chris Wright and wife, Laura, Michael Kleinhenz, Dominick Russo, and Caleb Wright; great-grandchildren, Lucy Saint-Chiles, Lucas and Bella Grace Chapman; cousin, Dennis Hite; brothers-in-law, Joseph Viarreal, Elizaido Viarreal and wife, Victoria, Bob Viarreal, Larry Viarreal and wife, Veronica, John Viarreal, Kenneth Viarreal and wife, Ida; sisters-in-law, Teresa Valdez and husband, Mike, Orlinda Martinez, Jeanette Espinosa and husband, Tom, Clara Romero and husband, Frank; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Don was preceded in death by granddaughter Amanda Wright; his father Owen Wright; mother Freda Grace; and stepfather, Michael Reyes; maternal grandparents, Anna and John Jacob Wagner; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmo Wright; aunt, Lavonia Gay. Don enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 and was stationed in many states and countries during his service which include, New York, Japan, Northern New Mexico, Tucson, Arizona, Saglak Labrador, Kirtland AFB in New Mexico, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Foreign Language Institute Langley, VA, Moron AFB Spain, Da Nang, Vietnam, Cannon AFB, NM, Manila, Philippine Islands, Tinker AFB Oklahoma, Rhein Main AB Germany. He served in the US Air Force 26 years as an air traffic controller. Don received a Commendation Medal in 1966-1967 for being a Watch Supervisor at Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Air Force Commendation Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, in July 1971 to January 1974 at Tinker Air Force Base, OK, Meritorious Medal from Rhein Main AB, Germany, while serving from January 1974 to August 1977, and graduated from the University of Maryland with a Associates Arts Degree and had a Bachelor's Degree of University Studies from the University of New Mexico. He was employed by APS as a substitute teacher before going to work for the US Government as a US Customs Agent. A Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 7:00 p.m. at French Wyoming Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, 10:00 a.m., at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 12500 Carmel Ave. NE. Interment of cremated remains will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 7999 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Please visit our online guestbook for Don at RememberTheirStory.com French 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
        Published on: Mon July 20, 2009