Norman E. Wright Jr.

Norman E. Wright, Jr., died on September 15, 2026. He was 74 years old. Norman was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

Norman was an engineer, designing and overseeing the construction of power plants across the United States – and designing and building a well loved dollhouse that his nieces played with for years. He always had a pen in his shirt pocket and a joke (some good, many bad) at the ready.

Norman was born on July 7,1952, in Dumas, Texas, to Norman and Betty Wright, the third of five children and the first son. He lived most of his life in Amarillo, graduating from Tascosa High School in1970. Norman attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he received his degree in architectural engineering, remaining an enthusiastic Longhorn for the rest of his life. He returned to Amarillo to work at Southwest Public Service.

At SPS Norman met his beloved wife, Peggy Ann Wright. They were married for 29 years, before he sadly lost Peggy to cancer in April of 2013.

Norman developed an appreciation for music later in life. He became a passionate supporter and fan of High Plains Public Radio and also enjoyed the Amarillo Symphony. Norman was a lifelong gardener, raising an abundance of vegetables and beautiful flowers. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, serving on the Board of Deacons and enjoying many activities there.

In the spring of 2023, Norman reconnected with a friend from his early SPS days in Amarillo, Shirley Clem. Shirley became his best friend, beloved companion and partner. She has been such a blessing to Norman and the whole family.

Norman leaves behind Shirley; a daughter, Karon McManus of Houston; three granddaughters Lucy, Meagan and Launa; brother and sister-in-law, Geoff and Lacy Wright of Flower Mound; sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Mike Irei of Phoenix; brother-in-law Bill Lawson of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania; and nieces and nephews in Texas, Pennsylvania, New York and Arizona.

He was predeceased by his parents, Norman and Betty Wright; his wife, Peggy; and his older sisters, Susan Lawson and Sara Wright.

Norman will be dearly missed.

There will be a memorial service the week of Thanksgiving, Monday, November 23, at 10:00 a.m., at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2525 Wimberley Road, 79109. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.