Donald Wrightington Tirrell

Donald Wrightington Tirrell, age 91, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2024, surrounded by his wife Nancy and his three children, Laurie, Don Jr. and Susan. Don passed away from the effects of undiagnosed prostate cancer and had suffered with some effects of Alzheimer’s Disease for the past few years.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island on July 12, 1932, Don was the second child of Charles Edwin and Doris (Wrightington) Tirrell. He had two siblings; an older brother, Richard, and a younger brother, Charles. His brothers and parents preceded him in death.

As a boy growing up in Rhode Island, Don was affected by WW2. Many of his neighbors and friends lost loved ones during the war. His father was the local air raid warden and Don was affected by, and grateful for, the service and sacrifice that America and her allies gave to protect their loved ones and American values.

Don was always physically active and enjoyed the outdoors and many sports. Growing up he loved going to the beach, swimming, fishing and hunting clams, oysters and quahogs. In school he wrestled, played basketball and was captain of the tennis team. He would also play baseball with local friends.

Don’s family was very patriotic, and Don and his brothers all served their country in the military. Don joined the Navy with some school friends shortly after high school. They joined hoping to serve together, but were separated fairly quickly. Don served on the USS Salem, the flagship cruiser of the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean. The memories of his time in the navy and service to the country he loved were something he always cherished. He was especially proud of his grandsons, Matthew Finch, who also proudly served in the Navy, and Justin Kirkpatrick, who is currently attending the Naval Academy in Annapolis. Don very much enjoyed watching Justin compete on the Naval Academy boxing team.

After completing his military service, Don returned to Rhode Island and attended Bryant Business School. He began working for Fram Corporation, headquartered in Rhode Island, as a sales representative on the southern east coast. He found success with Fram and was eventually transferred to southern California.

Don was lucky to have had friends from Rhode Island who moved to California around the same time. He was introduced to his wife, Nancy, and for their first date he invited her to go grunion hunting with friends at Huntington Beach. Nancy could see how much Don and his friends enjoyed each other and joked and laughed. After catching and barbecuing the fish, Don’s friends picked him up and threw him into the waves.

Their relationship blossomed, and Don proposed to Nancy at Irvine Park. They were married in St Joesph, Missouri in 1959 and bought their first home in Anaheim, CA. Their daughter Laurie was born in 1960, and son Don was born in 1961. They moved to their second home in Anaheim, and outgrew that home when Susan was born in 1969. Their next move was to Irvine, which at that time was a new planned community being developed. They lived there for 36 years, and experienced Irvine’s transformation from a rural agricultural town to a major city.

Don’s work required him to travel regularly, and he would take the family with him on work trips when he could. Fram merged with Autolite and Bendix and became Allied Signal, which later became Honeywell. Don was successful and outgoing, and made friends with most of his customers. He retired from Allied after 35 years.

After their children had moved out, Don and Nancy bought their current home in the Casta del Sol community in Mission Viejo. They participated in many social and athletic activities that were available. Don’s competitiveness and friendly, outgoing personality endeared him to his friends and neighbors and he enjoyed the friendly, welcoming community. Don also enjoyed music, singing, dancing, playing cards, ping pong, shuffleboard, board games, and anything that brought people together to enjoy each other’s company.

Don loved tennis and played from his teens until his 80s. He played with friends, his family, and joined several tennis clubs. He was very competitive and regularly won tournaments and trophies. Don also enjoyed playing golf with Nancy and his friends. After retirement, he worked as a marshal for Pelican Hill Golf Club. He appreciated the perks of free golf and the ability to keep all the stray balls he found. He also enjoyed the occasional celebrity encounter on the golf course.

Don and Nancy regularly attended church services, and belonged to several churches over the years as they moved from one location to another. When they moved to Mission Viejo, they joined the Presbyterian Church of the Master. Don enjoyed the services there and particularly liked singing along to the hymns he had grown up with.

Don is survived by his loving wife Nancy. They were just days away from celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary when he passed. He is also survived by his three children, Laurie, Don Jr. and Susan, grandchildren Matthew, Kristina, Hayley, Nicholas, Justin and Vincent, great grandchildren Issac, Alan, Aiden and Theodore and many nieces and nephews.

Don’s memorial service will be held July 20, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Presbyterian Church of the Master in Mission Viejo.

Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association in Don’s name are greatly appreciated.

https://ACT.ALZ.ORG