Lonnie Dale Wright

Lonnie Dale Wright passed peacefully on January 24, 2022 in the company of his family at his home in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

He was born on September 27, 1934 to Pace McDaniel Wright and Melvina Ruby Wright of Blair, Oklahoma. After graduating from Blair High School, Dale was drafted into service in the Army, which took him to Fort Smith, Arkansas. While stationed in Arkansas, Dale met and married Doris Madden on March 27, 1959. Following his tour of duty, Dale and Doris moved to be with family in Socorro, New Mexico, where they had their first child, Lonnie. Dale was quickly recalled to service during the Cuban Missile Crisis to Fort Polk, Louisiana, where their second child Thomas was born. Dale finished service as a Specialist 4th Class, Radio Operator. The skills Dale learned in the Army led him back to Socorro where he worked as a contractor on White Sands Missile Range in radios and photography. Dale and Doris were blessed with their daughter, Catherine, during this second stint in Socorro, but soon moved to Alamogordo, New Mexico to be closer to his job. 

In 1969, Dale was called into the ministry. He led his family to Wayland Baptist University for a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religion in the Class of 1971, followed by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for a Master of Divinity in the Class of 1974. Dale faithfully served Christ for 27 years as a pastor to churches in Hale Center, Fort Worth, El Paso, Alamogordo, and High Rolls. Dale retired in 1996, but never gave up the ministry as he continued to teach Sunday school and guest preach for many years. 

Following retirement, Dale and Doris moved to be with family in Burleson, Texas, where he started his next job as a very active and dedicated Granddad! He loved to fish, go camping, and attend grandkid’s activities and events. 

Dale lived a life of service to Christ, Family, and Country. He was a caring husband, a loving father and a devoted Grandfather. Dale was a strong, principled man, and a faithful Christ-follower; his life touched many people and many lives in a fiercely positive and uplifting way. His legacy will be the faith and compassion he taught his family and friends through example. 

Dale is preceded in death by his parents, Pace and Melvina Wright; and sister, Winnie Faye Wright.

He is survived by his wife, Doris, of nearly 63 years; son, Lonnie (Julie) Wright of Jacksonville, FL; daughter Catherine (Toby) Bell of Alamogordo, NM; and grandchildren, Spencer Bell, Sarah Fullbright, Dale Wright, Dylan Bell, and Trey Bell; brother, Lawrence Wright, of Warner Robins, GA.  

A Celebration of Life will be held in Alamogordo, NM on Thursday, February 3, 2022. The service will be at 10:00AM at Scenic Chapel (1334 North Scenic Dr. Alamogordo, NM 88310; (575)437-0530).

Dale will be laid to rest with full military honors in a private ceremony at Fort Stanton, Ruidoso, NM. 

The Wright family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Scenic Chapel to direct the funeral services.

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