David Wright

David W. Wright, age 72, of Alma , MI passed away Monday, August 9, 2021 .

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Ithaca , MI Friday, August 13, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Fr. Kevin Wojokowski presiding.  Burial will take place at the Ithaca Cemetery immediately following the Mass. Visitation will be held Thursday, August 12, 2021 from 5-8 p.m. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca Chapel.

David was born in Alma , MI on September 19, 1948 , the son of Leo William and Marvia Louise (Haas) Wright.  He graduated from Ithaca High School with the class of 1966.  He married Barbara Kinley on September 4, 1970 at Alma United Methodist Church .

He began his career at General Motors as a welder and worked his way to Facilities Engineering Project Manager.  He retired in 2011 after 45 years of service.  He proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969 eventually earning the rank of Sergeant.  For his heroism in connection with his military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam in 1969, he was awarded numerous medals and badges including the Purple Heart for being wounded in combat.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, vacationing with his wife, and his time spent at the lake surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara Wright of Alma , MI ; four children: Melissa ( Wayne ) Hipolite of Alma, MI; David (Kristen) Wright of Mason, MI; Mindy (Michael) Donnelly of Chesapeake, VA; and Matthew Wright of Alma , MI .  He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren and two sisters: Shirley ( Gary ) Whitmore of Ithaca, MI and Susie (Mark) Lator of Laingsburg, MI.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his mother and father-in-law: Ed and Doryce Kinley; and one brother Gary Wright.

Memorials may be made to the Gratiot County Veterans Association.  Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca Chapel.