Donald L. Wells

Donald Lockwood Wells, 81, of Lansing, New York, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Don was born on November 3, 1944, in Syracuse, New York, to Howard and Janet Wells. His love of the outdoors began early and stayed with him throughout his life. He became an Eagle Scout, fitting for someone who was resourceful, curious, and most at home when he could explore, learn, and work with his hands.

In 1965, Don began his service in the United States Navy. He served first on active duty and later in the United States Naval Reserve, eventually attaining the rank of Commander before retiring in 1992. During his Navy years, Don worked with communications, decoding, and emerging technology, which he rarely spoke about. His military service was an important part of his life, but like Don himself, it was something he carried quietly.

After his active-duty service, while continuing in the Naval Reserve, Don taught forestry at BOCES. His students learned through doing: operating heavy equipment, safely felling trees, tapping maples and boiling sap into syrup. Don loved sharing what he knew and then stepping back, giving people the freedom to explore, try things for themselves, and build confidence through experience. Years later, former students still fondly remembered the thrill of cutting down their first tree and the satisfaction of making maple syrup from start to finish.

Technology was already familiar to Don through his Navy experience, and computers became an important part of his civilian career as the field grew. He worked with computers for a number of companies and also returned to teaching, this time teaching computers at Auburn Correctional Facility. Whether he was working with technology or helping someone else understand it, Don was patient and thoughtful. He liked knowing how things worked, and he genuinely enjoyed helping other people discover that for themselves.

Don later moved into energy management, where his technical knowledge and practical way of looking at problems came together naturally. Over the years, he worked for several organizations, including NYSEG and Taitem Engineering. He conducted energy audits for local businesses and energy efficiency studies for hospitals throughout New York State. He also helped colleges pursue funding for solar energy projects. Don had a talent for looking closely at a building or system, understanding what could work better, and finding a practical way forward.

That attention to detail was simply part of who he was. Don did things carefully, whether the job was large or small. He could build an addition to a house, repair something that seemed beyond fixing, or make sure the crease in a pair of pants was ironed exactly as it should be. He took pride in doing things well, and if something needed to be fixed, he wanted it fixed properly.

Over the years, Don repaired and improved the family home and built a large addition himself. He was also often the calm and practical balance to Jude's activist spirit and big ideas. When Jude cut a hole in the side of the house for a future window, Don was the one who could look at the hole in the wall and quietly figure out what needed to happen next. It was part of the rhythm of the life they built together.

Don was gentle and reserved by nature. He was not someone who needed attention or recognition. He was more likely to be beside you showing you how to do something, helping solve a problem, or quietly taking care of what needed to be done.

Some of the most lasting things he gave his daughters came through that same quiet way of teaching.

Don gave them a childhood filled with the outdoors. Nearly every weekend brought another adventure. They canoed and swam on Cayuga Lake, exploring its quiet coves and open water. The family often camped at Stillwater Reservoir, creating memories that stayed with them long after the trips were over.

Some of the memories his daughters cherish most happened even closer to home. In the woods behind their house, Don seemed just as happy exploring as his children were. He built tree forts with them, created campsites, and gave them the freedom to explore. He showed them how to be comfortable in the woods without taking away the joy of discovering things for themselves. That confidence and love of being outside became part of their own lives.

And then there were Don's famous "Rock Parties."

Friends and family gathered around the fire while Don cooked steaks directly on hot coals, buried carrots in the embers, baked biscuits on hot rocks, and made burgers tucked inside onion shells. It was exactly the kind of thing Don enjoyed: a little inventive, a little unconventional, and done with care. The food was memorable, but the real joy was gathering together around the fire.

Retirement did not mean sitting still for Don. He rowed with the Dragon Boat Club, enjoying the camaraderie and another opportunity to be on the water. He also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, where the skills he had spent a lifetime developing could once again be put to use helping build homes for others.

Later in life, Don's loyal sidekick, Gypsy, joined him for daily walks at Myers Park. He loved being close to the water, and the park became a familiar and peaceful part of his routine. The Adirondacks, however, always held a special place in his heart. Its woods, lakes, and quiet places drew him back throughout his life and remained his favorite place. Don is survived by his wife, Judith Wells; daughters Kris Kaplan (Helen), Jennifer Wells (Steven Southworth), and his cherished grandchildren, Mackenzi Franklin (Dana); Andrew Bertonica (Makayla), Abigail Mattingly (Mack); and Alexandria Shields (Austin Poole); five great-grandchildren; brother Ken Wells (Lynda); many nephews, nieces and cousins, and his dog Gypsy.

He was predeceased by his parents and his older brother, Robert Wells.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at Myers Park in Lansing, NY, on Thursday, August 27, 2026. Guests are welcome to begin gathering at Pavilion F at 2:30 p.m., with military honors, a memorial tree dedication, and remembrances to follow. Catered food and continued time together will follow at the pavilion.

Your presence, memories, and stories are the greatest gifts you can give our family. In lieu of flowers, cards, or other items, those wishing to honor Don may consider making a donation to Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties or Hospicare & Palliative Care Services of Tompkins County, or planting a tree in his memory in a place of your choosing.