Donnie Lee Wright, Sr.

Mr. Donnie Lee Wright, Sr.

Mr. Donnie Lee Wright, Sr., 77, of Gosnell, went to be with the Lord on Monday morning at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. He was a life-long resident and was very proud to call Gosnell “home.” He was born on February 9, 1940 to Zola “Bud” Wright and Cordie Lee Pinkley Wright. Mr. Wright married his high school sweetheart, Sharra Via, in 1958 and celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary last July.

He served his country in the National Guard for 12 years. He also had a long career at Southwestern Bell and AT&T as a poleman and teletype technician for northeast Arkansas. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and in 1979 helped found NET (Northeast Telephone) Systems with co-workers. The business thrived and before long, Mr. Wright bought sole ownership of the company, which, under his leadership flourished and has served the community for 38 years and going. He was a member of Gosnell Baptist Church for 52 years.

He threw himself into work, but throughout his life he loved hunting of all kinds, especially training coon dogs and going to the cabin with family and friends. For years, he was an amateur archeologist who explored the region. Artifacts from his collection have found their way into museums and education collections in Arkansas and Missouri. He retired in 2014. He was a natural storyteller and took great joy in caring for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as they’ve grown.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, O’Dell Wright and a sister, Theda Richardson.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sharra Wright, of Gosnell;

One daughter, Sabrina Dawn Clark and husband Eddie, of Gosnell;

Two sons, Donnie Lee Wright, Jr. and wife Jamie, of Gosnell and Thomas Daniel Wright, of Kansas City, Kansas;

Five grandchildren, Sondra and Chase Meacham of Gosnell, Jonathan and Shana Spence of Steele, Mo. and Nathan Wright, Callie Wright and Chad Wright, all of Gosnell;

Five great-grandchildren, Layla Meacham, Lila Meacham, Loralie Meacham, Liam Spence and Ledger Spence;

and a host of friends and other relatives.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 8 at Gosnell Baptist Church with Dr. Eddie Clemons officiating and assisted by Dr. Tommy Carney. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at Carney Funeral Home. Burial will be in Dogwood cemetery. Condolences may be offered at carneyfuneralhome.com.