Donald Frederick Wright, AIA, of Williamsburg, MI passed away Monday, November 2, 2015 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, MI following a short illness. He was 94 years old.

Don was born January 9, 1921 in Ann Arbor, MI to Dr. Harold Elmer and Marian (Voorhees) Wright. He spent his childhood accompanying his father on veterinary farm visits in Washtenaw County and camping on the banks of the Huron River. Don attended Ann Arbor High School where he lettered in football and graduated from University High School. He was a member of the Rink Rats who cleared University of Michigan hockey ice in the days before the Zamboni.

Don attended and played football for the South Dakota School of Mines before WWII called him into service as a loftsman at the Willow Run B 24 bomber plant in Ypsilanti, MI. Following the war he studied drafting and architecture. Don worked as an architect in Ann Arbor in a variety of capacities including partnership in Colvin, Robinson, Wright and Associates. In 2013 he was honored as a founding member of the Huron Valley Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

He married his wife of 59 years, Edna Agnes Hewett on December 20, 1942 in Ann Arbor, where they made their home and raised their children. Don and Agnes were active members of Zion Lutheran Church, the Huron Valley Golf Club, and many community organizations. They also had family, friends and community ties in the Kewadin, MI area where they had a summer residence, and later in Briny Breezes, FL where they spent winters.

Following the passing of Agnes, Don married Miriam "Jo" Harris, his wife of six years, on January 12, 2002, and was a devoted stepfather to Jo's children and grandchildren as Jo was a devoted stepmother to Don's children and grandchildren. They made their home together in Traverse City, MI.

Don was an avid fisherman, an excellent bridge, poker, euchre, and cribbage player, an aviation enthusiast, and a wonderful story teller with a lifetime of stories to share. A skilled craftsman, he could build what he designed, from houses to furniture to model aircraft. Don was a good cook and an even better eater.

For all of his accomplishments, Don will be most remembered and missed for the love he gave, the twinkle in his eye, a joke shared, and support given in time of need.

Surviving Don are his daughters, Lisa (Ron) Struss and Barbara Wright, step daughters Miriam Sutherland, Helen Harris, and Gwen (Bill) Stireman, and grandchildren Joshua Wright, Sadie Struss, and Emma Struss, step grandson Andy Stireman, and his numerous and loving nieces and nephews.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, son Stephen, brother Bernard, and wives Agnes and Jo.


Don's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Munson Medical Center for their loving care for Don.

Interment will take place in Ann Arbor at a later time. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Save the Willow Run Bomber Plant Campaign at www.savethebomberplant.org or the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy at www.gtrlc.org . . Thoughts and memories can be shared with Don's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The Family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.