David Clarendon Wright, PhD. became a resident of Clinton in September 1996. He was born in Haverhill, Mass. on June 28, 1925 and passed away on Aug. 10 at Providence Hospital in Everett at the age of 93.
David was the youngest of two sons born to Dr. Arthur Clarendon Wright and Ruth Caroline Prescott Wright. David graduated from Tufts University in Medford, Mass. with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education in 1949-50. He obtained his doctorate from United States International University in San Diego years later.
David proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 and was primarily attached to the San Diego Naval base, serving as a scrub nurse at the Balboa Naval Hospital.
After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he completed his training in education and was hired by San Diego City Schools in 1950.
He held several positions in the district and retired as an elementary school principal in 1987.
David was actively involved in community services through his membership in various Kiwanis Clubs. Dave served as club vice president, president and lieutenant governor of the CAL-NEV-HA district. He regularly attended the South Whidbey Assembly of God Church and was very close to his minister, Pastor Matt Chambers.
Dave is survived by his wife of 30 years, Ann (Ingram) Wright, who continues to live on Whidbey Island. David was the father of five children by a previous marriage and stepfather to Ann’s daughter: David P. Wright (Kendra), Bradford W. Wright (Kelley), Caron L. Frasca (Ronald), Thomas C. Wright (Caroline), Rebecca S. Brown (Matthew) and Léna C. Stombs. He was blessed with eight grandchildren: Haley Shumaker, Wilson Frasca, Kate Knudson, Bradyn Brown, Jackson Brown, Nicholaus Wright, Thomas Wright and Katherine Stombs. There are seven great grandchildren: Samuel Shumaker, John Shumaker, Raphael Frasca, Joanna Frasca, Alexandra Frasca, Connor Knudson and Henry Knudson. David was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Ruth Wright, his brother Donald Wright and sister-in-law Beryl Wright.
Dave was a good man who worked at remembering the Golden Rule and was kind and loving to his family, friends and others with whom he came into contact. He will be deeply missed by his wife, children, family and his friends.
A Celebration of Life is 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7 at South Whidbey Assembly of God Church, 5373 Maxwelton Road, Langley.
His ashes will be interred at a private ceremony at Tahoma National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the South Whidbey Schools Foundation through the school district’s website: https://swsfoundation.org or by mailing a donation to SWSF, P.O. Box 24, Freeland, WA 98249.
