DONALD J. WILSON

DONALD J WILSON, 89, of Perris, California , passed away  on April 06, 2026. DONALD J WILSON Mr AKA: DON J. WILSON was born in Gladewater, Texas on May 7, 1936, to Teddi JENNINGS WILSON and IMOGENE MYERS. He married ESTHER GUADALUPE (Munoz) on Monday, March 15th, 1954, in Yuma, ARIZONA.. He was born in Gladiator Texas as his father migrated to various towns as he worked on the oil rigs. Gladewater experienced an oil boom in the 1930"s and his family was living there for work. Eventually they moved to Long Beach California where he went to school at Long Beach Jordan High School and met Esther Wilson at Saint Anthony's High School. They married at an early age as he was 17 and she was 16, having eloped and married in Yuma Arizona. A year later they started a family with their first son Daniel and subsequently a second son Donnie and a daughter named Teresa. The family started out in North Long Beach, moved to Signal Hill and then to Cypress California where they bought their first house. In 1990 they moved to Riverside County, Cal where he built a ranch, which remained his residence through 2026 at his passing.

Educated through junior college and continuing education for photography, equine management and accounting. Started his early life working in a family dry cleaning business, migrating into accounting and subsequently bar/restaurant management. He eventually went to work as a Union organizer and became treasurer of the Culinary Union. Upon retirement, he purchased a bar in Buena Park which he operated until full retirement. He loved raising horses and became a reasonably successful breeder and owner of quarter racing horses. He operated a 5 acre ranch that raised several notable and well-known horses. His finest was an orphan horse that went on to win many stakes races in multiple states. Along with his wife, he fed the orphan horse every 3 hours through the night for several months until it was old enough to eat on its own. He loved the house and ranch he built as well as the animals that he raised and his family. He is survived by his wife ESTHER GUADALUPE WILSON Mrs. of Perris, CA; four children, DANIEL J WILSON Mr of Perris, CA, Teresa Ann Mallock, Donnie E Wilson, and Pamela J Wilson; five grandchildren, Daniel J Wilson Jr, Casey Watson, Lindsey Ki, Austin Mallock, and Dallas Belger; and one brother, Mike Wilson.  .

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026. Graveside services will be held at HOLY SEPULCHER CEMETERY 11:00 AM.

Arrangements Entrusted To The Care of Akes Family Funeral Home, Riverside, California .

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