Dawson Wright

1931 - 2015

Dawson Leighton Wright, Jr.
March 15, 1931 - March 11, 2015
Our hearts are heavy with the sudden passing of our beloved Dawson.
Dawson was born in Oakland, California to Mary Fay and Dawson Leighton Wright, Sr. He attended Saint Vincent's School for Boys in San Rafael from preschool through eighth grade and attended High School at Saint Ignatius High School in San Francisco. He earned a full scholarship to Santa Clara University and achieved a bachelor's degree in chemistry. In 1951, while working as a coffee boy at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite, Dawson met his wonderful wife Marilyn Magladry. They married the next year and stayed together for 47 years until her passing in 1999. Following their wedding Dawson moved to Modesto where he began a long career for E & J Gallo Winery. Early in his career with Gallo he left from 1956 to 1960 to work for United Vintners in San Francisco before returning to Gallo in Modesto. He would work for the Gallo Family as an enologist for 50 years.
In 1953 and 1954 Dawson and Marilyn welcomed children Dawson and Susan into the world. In 1975 they welcomed their third child Kathleen.
In 2003, the day after his retirement from Gallo, Dawson began a new career at Stroud Elementary School in the Empire School district where his daughter Susan worked. He loved working with his students as their tutor, substitute, yard duty aid and mentor.
During his life Dawson was an active member of the Sportsmen of Stanislaus where he enjoyed playing tennis, pool, basketball and helping with handball tournaments as a referee. He held membership in the American Society for Enology and Viticulture and was elected President of the society from 1976 to 1977. He proudly served as a member of the Stanislaus Grand Jury.
Over the years Dawson enjoyed many accomplishments in his career and family life. He held dear to his heart developing and governing the Gallo's Apple ranch in Snelling, CA, learning from his students at Stroud Elementary and traveling the world with his family. He was particularly fond of Paris and would travel to the city 2 to 3 times a year with his daughter and grandchildren.
Dawson is survived by his son Dawson Leighton Wright III, his daughter Susan Wright Clayton and son-in-law Jeff. His grandchildren, Joshua Clayton, Ashley Clayton Makowski (Steve) and William Clayton (Rebecca), Alexa Sorensen and Austen Sorensen. He is also survived by his brother-in-law George William Magladry, III. He is preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Magladry Wright, his daughter Kathleen Margaret Sorensen and his younger brother John Wright.
Dawson was a special man to all who had the pleasure and honor of knowing him and he will be greatly missed by everyone he touched.
A Celebration of Life mass will be held Saturday, March 21st at St. Frances of Rome Parish in Riverbank, California at 11:00 a.m. with a reception at 1:00 p.m. at The Seasons in Modesto.
In lieu of flowers, please send books or donations to the Stroud Elementary School Library, 815 Frazine Road, Modesto, California 95355.
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