Donald J. Wells, 79, Noblesville, died Feb. 10 with loved ones by his side. Don was born July 27, 1936 in Indianapolis to the late Clarence E. and Ruth C. (Matlock) Wells. He was affectionately referred to as “Chip” by his grandchildren and many friends. He graduated from Broad Ripple High School in 1954.
After a difficult childhood and losing his mother at a young age, Don read “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale in his teen years. The tenets of this book became the guiding principles throughout his life and led to his ever-optimistic attitude. Don began his career in the wholesale food industry. He had an entrepreneurial spirit that led him to found, with three partners, a successful wholesale food company, Taurus Foods. After retiring from Taurus, his love of work and inability to sit still led him to begin another career, and he later retired from Clark Foodservice in South Bend. Don was on the board of directors of Frosty Acre Brands and was involved for many years in the “Taste of Indianapolis.” Don was a freemason, a member of the Scottish Rite and the Murat Shrine. He was a member of the Murat Shrine mini-cycle parade unit and participated in many festivals and parades throughout the Midwest. He was also a member of Harbour Trees Golf Club.
Don resided in Noblesville for much of his adult life. He enjoyed boating and taught numerous people to water ski and wakeboard. Though he was a hacker, Don enjoyed a good round of golf and played on many prestigious courses around the country. He was an avid fan of motor sports and attended 50 consecutive Indianapolis 500 races. Don enjoyed traveling, and he and his wife, Jackie, traveled extensively around the world.
During his children’s youth, he was a little league baseball coach and a Cub Scout leader. He truly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and attending their sporting and academic events and musical competitions. He was proud of the life that he built and the legacy that he leaves behind.
Don had a zest for life, an infectious laugh, was the life of the party and never met a stranger. Even during his illness, Don was always a positive person, and when asked how he was, he would normally respond that he was “Faaantastic!” Friends and loved ones say, “He was an awesome man. Always so kind and so joyful!”, “Uncle Don smiled with his eyes! From his heart to his lips to his eyes!!”, and “My life has been enriched by knowing you and what a kind soul you are!”
Don leaves behind his wife, Jackquelyn (Earley) Wells; his son, Don (Tricia); and his daughters, Lisa Corry, Beth (Gerald) McIntire and Amy (Len) Smith; grandchildren, Joshua (Kristen) Wells, Susan (Joey) Parr, Mitch (Dana) Corry, Madeline Corry, Alexandra and Chloe McIntire, Ethan Wells, Ian, Erin and Alaina Smith; and great grandchildren, Emma and Logan Wells. He is also survived by many loving extended family members. He was preceded in death by his sister, Norma O’Connor.
The family would like to thank the staff at Riverview Hospital Intensive Care Unit for the kind, compassionate care they provided to Don during his final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to a memorial scholarship fund in Don’s name to the Noblesville Schools Education Foundation, PO Box 724, Noblesville, IN 46061. Please reference the Donald J. Wells Memorial Scholarship in the memo line.
Condolences: www.randallroberts.com
