Don Kenyon Wells Sr.

Don was born on October 13, 1932 to C. Kenyon Wells and Mary Ethel Wells in Long Beach, California. He attended Long Beach schools, and in his youth he was active in the Boy Scouts, ultimately becoming an Eagle Scout. All through his youth he played sports, most enjoying baseball and basketball. He went on to attend Whittier College, where he graduated with a degree in business administration and played both baseball and basketball. He later attended California State University, Long Beach earning his Master’s degree in business administration. After graduating college, Don was drafted into the Army. Don married Marilyn in June of 1955, and the two of them just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Together they had three sons: Mark, Greg, and Don Jr. During their growing-up years, Don coached all three boys in baseball and flag football, and helped them become Eagle Scouts. Professionally, Don worked for Security Bank, Rockwell International, and Color Image in the area of finance. For a period of time, he was also a contractor and built custom homes in Canyon Lake, California. In 1993, Don retired, and he and Marilyn moved to Bend to be close to their boys and families. In Bend, he volunteered with SCORE—a national organization that helps failing businesses—and sat on the boards of several organizations, including J Bar J Youth Ranch, Hospice, and the Eastmont Elder Board. He also became project manager for the construction of the Eastmont lower campus. Throughout his later years, Don continued to enjoy playing senior softball and tennis into his late eighties and early nineties. His favorite pastime of all was spending time with his family. Don passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 3rd and is now reunited in Heaven with Jesus and his son Greg, who passed away in 1999. He is survived by his wife Marilyn; son Mark and wife Suzi; son Don Jr. and wife Gretchen; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; his brother Bob Wells; nephews David and Steve Wells; and niece Julie Safer. Arrangements were handled by Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home, Bend, Oregon. Please visit www.niswonger-reynolds.com to sign the guestbook.

Tributes

Don Kenyon Wells Sr.

October 13, 1932 - February 3, 2026