Donald Wayne Wren

Donald Wayne Wren was born July 22, 1931 in Bells, Tennessee. He was the son of C. M and Elizabeth Wren. Wayne was raised and attended school in Bells, graduating from Bells High School in 1950.

While attending school and after graduation for a short while, Wayne worked as a mail clerk for Memphis Light, Gas and Water. In August 1950, Wayne was inducted into the service of his country into the United States Army. Upon completion of basic and artillery training, Wayne was transferred to Korea where he served nearly ten months before becoming ill with complications of pneumonia. He was then sent to a hospital in Japan for a few months before returning to the United States. Wayne was honorably discharged on April 7, 1952 and returned to Memphis, Tennessee.

Wayne remained hospitalized for about a year and then returned to Memphis Light, Gas and Water where he worked for nearly twenty-five years, retiring as a Utility Director. While residing in Memphis, Wayne raised his three children, Carolyn, Donald Wayne ''Buddy'' Wren, II, and David.

Wayne moved to Oklahoma in 1980 and accepted employment with for nearly a year as Public Works Director for the City of Cleveland. He was married to Clara Louise Basham on June 4, 1984. The couple have made their home in Jennings for the past twenty-seven years. Wayne immediately accepted Clara's three children, Dorothy, Larry and Timmy, as his own.

Wayne later began his own company, GMAC in Tulsa. He served as President and Field Engineer in providing compressors for equipment in the oilfields of Northeastern Oklahoma. Wayne retired in 1998.

Wayne was affiliated with the Victory Christian Center in Tulsa. He was an avid sport's fan, especially football and golf. He enjoyed playing golf and fishing. Wayne passed away on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 at Colonial Estates in Gurthrie, Oklahoma at the age of seventy years, one month and twenty-seven days.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Clara Louise Wren, of the home; daughter, Carolyn Rinke, Washington; two sons, Donald Wayne ''Buddy'' Wren, II, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; David Wren, San Francisco, California; step-daughter, Dorothy Marchbanks, Guthrie, Oklahoma; two step-sons, Larry Ferguson, Yale, Oklahoma; Timmy Ferguson, Sand Springs, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and two sisters, Joan Jones and Evelyn Heart.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm, Saturday, September 22, 2001 at the Jennings Cemetery in Jennings, Oklahoma with Tom Hadwin and Antonya Pearson officiating. Burial will be at the Jennings Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home in Cleveland.

''Visit an Online Memorial and Guest Book for Wayne Wren at www.chapman-black.com''