Jerauld Bruce "Jerry" Wright

Jerauld ("Jerry") Bruce Wright, passed away on August 20, 2025, surrounded by family. He was born April 9, 1936 to Marjorie and Frank Wright of Turton, SD. A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jeannine, sons, Jay Wright, Jon and Laura Wright and grandsons Lars and Niels, Joel Wright and Kristin Wright and grandson Finn, brother Wayne Wright, and brother-in-law Robert Meyer. He was preceded in death by his sister Barbara Meyer, and sister-in-law Beverly Wright.

Growing up on a farm, he learned how to build and fix just about anything. He enjoyed learning and explaining how things worked. According to Jeannine, he liked anything that moved, and was particularly fond of old tractors. He served in the US Army at Fort Chaffee, AK for 2 years before marrying Jeannine in 1960, and completing a bachelor's degree from Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD in 1962. He and Jeannine then moved to College Station, TX where he earned a Doctorate of Education in Industrial Arts from Texas A&M in 1969. He was thankful for Jeannine's support, as she reliably nudged him on when he felt discouraged. Always a teacher at heart, upon graduation he accepted a position teaching at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC.

Jerry's work at WCU included regional representation at the NC State Advisory Council on Vocational Education, who convinced him to take a permanent position on their team in 1974. In 1977 he accepted a position as a curriculum development specialist for the Shearon Harris nuclear power plant in New Hill, NC. His work contributed to standardizing position descriptions, responsibilities, skills and tasks across the industry, later required for licensure of nuclear power plants by the Department of Energy. Living in Cary, NC, he and Jeannine became involved at Christ the King Lutheran Church, where they made life-long friends and raised their children. Jerry served on the church council, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday school. As with many churches, CTK sponsored a refugee from Vietnam, who Jerry helped learn to read, write and speak English, drive, find work, and adjust to life in the United States. Outside of work, he volunteered on behalf of the National Cancer Society, played golf, and was a constant presence at the boys' activities.

In 1990, he accepted a position at the Westinghouse Savannah River Site in Aiken, SC, where he finished his career. In retirement, he and Jeannine enjoyed traveling to visit the boys on the West Coast, cruising to Alaska and the Caribbean, and exploring Germany with fellow Lutherans in 2007. Jerry continued his life of service as an AARP instructor and as a Stephen Minister. He spent many happy hours reading, watching football, golfing, woodworking, and making bird feeders and pine straw baskets. He and Jeannine moved back to NC in 2022 to the Croasdaile Village retirement community in Durham.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.