Dr. Donald E. Wright

Dr. Donald E. Wright, 77, of Jonesboro died Sunday Dec. 20 at his home. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

In June 1970, he came to Arkansas State University and served in the Department of Educational Administration where he taught many of the area’s educators. While at ASU, Dr. Wright held various positions including Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs when he retired in 1997. Professor Wright was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, a charter member of Mid-South Research Association, and served as a Presidential Partner for Arkansas State University. Dr. Wright was a huge Indian (and Red Wolf) supporter and could regularly be seen (and often heard) at games. Don was a long-time member and Chief of the Indian Club. He was also an avid golfer.

Don was member of the Jonesboro Lions Club where he served as a two-time President in 1987 and 1998. As an active member of Cornerstone United Methodist, he served on the committee on finance and Chair of the Administrative Council, as a Sunday school teacher, in the M &M group (Mature Methodists), and started the golf ministry.

He was born in Weatherford, Oklahoma, to Chester and Eva Roof Wright, who along with one brother and two sisters preceded him in death.

He was a member of the 1950 class of the Weatherford High School class and played many sports. He was a veteran of the US Air Force and served in SAC.

He graduated from Southwestern State College in 1957 with a BSE and in 1961 with a Masters Degree in Education and from University of Denver with a Doctorate in Educate in 1970. Don was a former coach who led several teams to state playoffs and served as a principal and superintendent in public schools in Oklahoma and Colorado.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Myra Cooksey Wright of the home; son Alan Wright (Doris) of Arkadelphia; daughter Donnell Reece (Mike) of Jonesboro; son Robert Wright (Kimberly) of Celina, Texas; and daughter Susan Chadwick (Kevin) of Jonesboro; 8 grandchildren, Matt Reece of Jonesboro, Greg Reece of Slidell, Louisiana, Jacob and Cheston Wright of Arkadelphia, Cody and Clint Wright of Celina, Texas, and Jonathan and Ashley Flemon and Jodi Chadwick all of Jonesboro; brother Robert Wright of New Mexico and sisters Freda Schutes and Fern Short of Oklahoma.

Visitation will be Tuesday night at Emerson Funeral Home from 5-7. Funeral Services will be at Cornerstone United Methodist Church at 10 am Wednesday followed by internment at Nettleton Cemetery. Don’s grandchildren will serve as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include Bruce Barnes, Robert Box, Dr. Gerald Dickinson, Dr. Mitch Holifield, Dr. Joe Nichols, Dr. Russ Shain, and members of the Friendship and Pathfinders Sunday school classes at Cornerstone UMC.

Lasting memorials may be made to the Hearts & Visions building fund at Cornerstone UMC or the Don Wright Scholarship fund for the Dept. of Educational Leadership at Arkansas State University.