Douglas Ray Wright

Douglas Ray Wright, 75, of Moville, IA, passed away, July 4, 2026, with his loving wife at his side after several years of severe COPD and heart issues.

A visitation will be 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Christy-Smith Funeral Home, Morningside Chapel, 1801 Morningside Ave.

Doug was born on July 29, 1950, in Sioux City, IA to Floyd and Audrey Wright of Sioux City, IA.

Doug attended Franklin Elementary School, Woodrow Wilson Junior High School, and graduated from Central High School in 1968. He attended Briar Cliff College, 1968-1969 and Western Iowa Tech in 1982 in Sioux City, Iowa. He worked under apprenticeship for Brick Masons Union Local 5, also apprenticeship under Local 234 of Operating Engineers in Sioux City, Iowa.

Doug had a catastrophic motorcycle accident at the age of 13 which affected the rest of his life. It was very difficult for him to walk due to his leg injury. He was on crutches until he graduated high school in 1968. He walked without crutches for the first time across the stage to receive his diploma. He was a very determined young man who did not let his physical injury stop him from living a full life. His career was mostly working in all aspects of the construction field. Doug started out working summers for Ferdig Landscaping in 1966 to 1968. He worked several other jobs after that, including as a machine operator for Pacific Adhesive, a salesman for Boyers Provisions, and at Iowa Beef Processors as a meat cutter.

His big break in construction was when he was hired by Bouche Masonry. Then he worked for Larry Book Construction, Chris Hansen Construction, Klinger Construction, and McHan Construction, as a laborer, bricklayer, and operator. He was thrilled to get into this line of work instead of being a meat cutter at Iowa Beef. It meant more money and benefits, plus it was a safer. During this time of his work career, he started to have major problems with his leg injury and had to quit construction. He then worked at Grain Terminal Association in Sioux City as a night foreman. He had a chance to become a partner in a restaurant and bowling alley business in Ponca, NE. This proved to not be the ideal job for Doug and was then hired as a salesman for PHE Handyman business in Sioux City. It was at PHE he learned a lot more about plumbing, painting, and general maintenance. In 1986 Doug wanted to get out of the construction business, mostly due to his past injury, and was hired at East High School in the Special Education Department as an aide with the behavioral disabled students.

In 1987 until 1989, Doug moved temporarily to Sacramento, CA to help his parents manage an apartment complex. Eventually he and his parents moved back to Sioux City due to his father’s illness. After that, Doug, went into business for himself, working in construction again, then was hired full time with B & S Masonry in Sioux City. Again, his leg injury caused him to quit construction. He then was hired at Sioux City Weighing and Inspection as a grain sampler. This was easier work, but he was on his feet for eight hours a day, which was not good for him. After hours of deliberation and talks with his wife, Cathy, he decided he should get out of the work force all together to take care of himself. This was not an easy decision for him, as he loved doing brick work. He was now retired, but took on brick laying jobs on his own until it was impossible to continue.

As a high school student, Doug was interested in weight lifting, swimming, and intramural sports, when possible. Doug especially loved basketball, although, he could not play on a team, he was supportive to his high school friends who did play.

Doug was a member of the YMCA, People for the Constitution and Siouxland Intergroup of A.A. He and others started A.A. group meetings in several places in Sioux City to meet the needs of alcoholics in the city. He had his own experiences with alcohol and was compelled to help others get sober. Doug was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Moville, IA and attended The United Methodist Church in Sioux City with his family.

Doug’s other interests included camping, woodworking, bowling, and public speaking. Doug loved his music, especially groups in the 70’s and 80’s. He had the habit of cranking up the radio in the house so most of the neighbors could hear every lyric! He and Cathy went to several concerts including, Foreigner and Fleetwood Mac.

Doug is survived by his Cathy, his wife of 43 years, in Moville, IA, his daughter, Shannon (Scott) Feese, and their children, Chance, Darian and Donnie, in Dakota Dunes, SD, his son Douglas John Wright, in Sioux City, IA, his stepson Derek Kruger and Derek’s son Kade Kruger, and Derek’s significate other, Angel Grillet, in Omaha, NE, his stepdaughter, Temple (Rusty) Woodley and their children Logann and Jake, in Pittsburgh, PA, his stepdaughter, Tanya (Chad) Powell and their children, Avery and Hattie, in Owatonna, MN, his sister Donna (Bill) Flory, in Sioux City, IA, his brother David Wright, in South Sioux City, NE. and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Doug was especially close with his nephew, Johnny Wright.

A special Thank You to St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care Doug received from all the staff that took care of him every week since last September. He looked forward to their visits, especially Bri, Karisa, Liberty and Taylor. Even though his health was declining, he made it to watch his grandson, Darin, wrestle several times.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Audrey Wright, several aunts and uncles and cousins.

Doug will be missed by many dear friends and relatives and by his many cats, that he loved and cherished.