Donald Wells

Dr. Donald Roger "Don" Wells, 93, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2025, in Plano, Texas. A retired professor of economics and passionate baseball enthusiast, Don was a devoted family man.

Born on September 18, 1932, in Los Angeles, California, he was the son of Walter Clement Wells and Grace (Murphy) Wells, and was also lovingly raised by his stepmother, Viola (Hammerich) Wells.

Don earned his Bachelor of Arts from UCLA in 1954. He then served in the United States Army from November 1954 through September 1956 where he stationed in Berlin, Germany. Following his military service, he pursued graduate studies at the University of Southern California, earning an MBA in 1961 and a doctorate in 1966.

That same year, Don began his academic career at Ole Miss University in Oxford, Mississippi. Shortly after that he joined the faculty at the University of Memphis as a professor of economics until his retirement in 1999.

In retirement he authored two books on baseball's Pacific Coast League and another on the history of the Federal Reserve, combining scholarly insight with personal passion.

A steadfast fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and UCLA Bruins, Don followed baseball with enthusiasm. He also had a lifelong fascination with passenger trains and took numerous sleeping car trips across North America. Don had a remarkable memory, great sense of humor and passion for life.

Don mostly cherished time with his beloved wife, Mary (Calnan) Wells, whom he affectionately called "M". During their 57 years of marriage Don and M traveled extensively across North America and Europe and enjoyed nearly twenty cruises together.

He is survived by his son Kevin (Kathleen) Wells; daughter Colette (Pat) Franckhauser; sister Helen (Wells) Martinez; granddaughter Erin Franckhauser; and grandson Ryan Franckhauser.

A Funeral Service will be held on December 5, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 5100 West Plano Parkway. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him.