Donald Combs Wren, 83, passed away Saturday, May 13, 2017. Don was born August 22, 1933 to Bob and Mattie Wren, in Big Spring, TX and was a graduate of Big Spring High School. He met his lifelong soulmate and wife of 63-years, Barbara Mason Wren, from Fort Worth, TX, at North Texas State University. Don enlisted in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War, and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, in Oceanside, CA. Upon serving his country, Don and Barbara moved back to Fort Worth, TX where they have resided ever since. Don obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from TCU in 1958; and,followed that up with a great career of 37 Years at General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin, retiring as Director of Procurement in 1996. A proud "West Texan", Don could tell a story like no other, and even if you've never been to Big Spring, TX, he made you feel like you grew up there, after hearing his life experiences growing up in that special area he loved…west Texas. He was an avid follower of local sports teams, Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, and he was a long time season ticket holder with the Dallas Cowboys. He particularly loved TCU Sports, and when able, regularly attended all TCU sporting events. Don is survived by his wife Barbara; their 3 children, Leslee Browning and husband, Trey, of Fort Worth;Lori Schimmel, and husband, Breck, of Keller; Jim Wren and wife, Jana, of Flower Mound; 6 Grandchildren, Lindsey, Ashley, Kirby, Dustin, Nicole, and Nathan; and 8 Great Grandchildren; sisters Belva Hess of San Antonio; Lana Overton of Carthage TX; and countless friends and extended family.
Donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth, 800 W 5th Street; Fort Worth, TX 76102; or the American Heart Association, http://www.heart.org.
Please share your memories of Don and any encouraging comments on this page.
Visitation Service
First United Methodist Church
Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 2:00pm
Funeral Service
First United Methodist Church
Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 2:00pm
Committal Service
Shannon Rose Hill Memorial Park
Following Church Service
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Sponsored by Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Chapel and Cemetery.
June 10, 2017
Terry Zink
Don was one of my first bosses when I worked at General Dynamics. He was a wonderful boss; very friendly, compassionate and understanding, with loads of patience. He was a fun person and made you feel very comfortable when in his presence. I'm so saddened to know that he is no longer with us. May God bless his family and comfort their hearts. I know you will be greatly missed.
May 23, 2017
A. H.
You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
May 20, 2017
American Heart Association
May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.
May 19, 2017
Friend
Susan Houser Brinegar
I have known "Rug" Wren, that was his nickname, since I was a child in Big Spring. He was one of the infamous J&H All Stars who hung around the J&H Drug Store. What a wonderful and fun group of guys that was. I believe my girlfriends and I had at least a few dates with each one of them. And through the years we had all kept in touch. Don and I were in North Texas together also, but being in different areas of study we didn't see much of each other, usually running into each other in the student union. He always made me laugh with his absolutely outrageous stories, about half of which I believed. At each high school reunion he would regale us all with tales of his life, his job, just whatever came into his mind! What a wonderful, warm, kind man he was. When I spoke with his about two weeks ago about the upcoming reunion in October, we had made plans to get together with our friends and just talk and laugh, as we usually did. And he told me how he and Barbara had met at North Texas and reiterated how much he loved her and how fortunate he was to have such a marvelous family and life. He will be greatly missed by all of his friends. My prayers are with Barbara and his family. Susan Houser Brinegar
May 19, 2017
My Friend Donald was a great friend I was older than Donald but I knew him well. He and my brother Bobby Jack Gross were friends and buddies from first grade on. He was such a good friend of my brother before he passed away.
The stories they could tell were something you would get so tickled about. One would start and the other one would finish.
He will be missed and our thoughts and prayers are with Barbara and Fammily
Bill and Lindel Gross Fletcher
May 19, 2017
Lana Wren Overton
I loved my brother so much. He was my hero. He was eight years older than me and I was always so proud of him. I will miss him so much and his long phone calls. Family reunions will never be the same without his stories.
Love you Donald.
May 19, 2017
Tom and Tula Wingerson
May 19, 2017
The Tom Wingerson family is so very fortunate to have known Donald for the last twelve years. He was an amazing person, so friendly to everyone. He was an awesome great grandfather to our three grandchildren and a wonderful "Bosh" to his grandchildren, as well. Our son, Jaisun, was very fortunate to have met and married Donald's oldest granddaughter, Lindsey Browning. Tom and I truly appreciate knowing the Wren family. Our prayers are with each one of you during these difficult days. All our love, Tom and Tula Wingerson
May 19, 2017
Craig Sowers
Sincere condolences to the Wren Family from the Holy Land. Don was a Mentor to many, myself included and what he and his contemporaries taught us about how to conduct Business, at home and abroad, were invaluable lessons that will remain and passed on to future Generations as it should be. He taught us how to be successful without ever having to sacrifice our Ethics or honor by making every opportunity a Win~Win the goal in Business and in Life. Sure gonna miss you Big Daddy here's hoping you win big playing hulley-gulley with those that passed before you. P.S. Tell Ray Emerson he's still got big Ears !!!
May 19, 2017
Debbie Pledger Ethridge
Words cannot express my feeling of your loss! When I met your Dad a few years ago I thought how much he reminded me of my Dad, telling stories and such. I know he was a good man because he and your Mom raised good children. God bless you all as you go thru this time.
May 18, 2017
Mr. Wren was one of my role models growing up. I know that he and Dad are probably cracking jokes and discussing blind Joe, the Harmon's and some of the other umpires from EFWAA baseball that they loved to give so much grief. I still think it was more for their mutual entertainment than the fact that they really thought they had missed a call. We will be praying for you. What a GREAT person!!!
Dib
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