Roger Dale Wright

Roger Dale Wright, 67 of Abilene, passed away at Coronado Nursing Center on April 12, 2016 with his loving wife by his side. A celebration of his life is scheduled for Friday, April 15, 2016 at 2:00 pm in the chapel at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St with Doug Smith and Kevin Peters officiating. There will be a graveside service to follow at Elmwood Memorial Park. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 5-7pm.

Serving as Pallbearers are: David Curry, Jim Harcourt, Melvin Martin, Terry Outlaw, Tommy Wadley, and Kenneth Roussel.

Roger was born in McAllen, Texas on December 9, 1948 to Dale Edward and Betty Jo Stanberry Wright. After graduating high school in 1967 from Carrizo Springs, TX, he moved to Abilene to attend Hardin Simmons University where he majored in education. While at HSU Roger met the love of his life Kathy Ensminger and they were married on March 27, 1970. He served in the Army National Guard and received a Masters of Education and Mid-Management from Abilene Christian University.

After graduating college, Roger and Kathy made Abilene their home. They raised their three sons here, were active at University Baptist Church/Radiant Light and served the community through their careers and many other ways as well. In the 34 years that Roger spent in the Abilene Independent School District he held many different positions but they all involved helping students that struggled in the classroom to find success.

Roger loved his family deeply and enjoyed watching the Houston Astro’s and Dallas Cowboys with his sons. He also loved music especially from the 60’s and would often hum as he did his work. He played the guitar and was an avid writer. Roger was very kind and a good friend to all who loved him. He and had a passion for people which was evident in his commitment to teaching but also in the time he spent working in the Kairos prison ministry and as an overseer in his church.

Left to cherish Roger’s memory are his wife Kathy, a son Ryan Wright and wife Jacinta, his father Dale Edward Wright, a brother Mark Edward Wright and wife Bonnie and a sister Jo Gayle Wright as well as other extended family members and close friends. He was preceded in death by his mother and two sons; Roger Scott Wright and Matthew Kristofer Wright.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude for the care and compassion Roger received from the wonderful staff at Coronado Nursing Center.

The family requests that donations be made in honor of Roger to The Alzheimer’s Association at http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp or Hendrick Hospice at http://hendrickhospice.org/Hospice/Hospice-Donate.aspx . Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.