Dr. Terry Lee Wright of Surf City, passed away Nov. 15, 2023, from complications of pneumonia.
Born July 9, 1952, Terry was the oldest child of Lloyd and Ruth (ne Gantz) Wright.
Growing up in Houston, Texas, and Cape Canaveral, Florida, Terry was fascinated by space exploration throughout his life. He attended Texas Christian University, going on to receive his doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Chicago in 1979. While there, he embraced the novel winter cold, enjoying ice hockey and long-distance running.
Upon graduation, Terry moved to the San Francisco Bay area, taking a job as a pharmaceutical researcher with Dow Chemical. Recognized by the company for his creativity and work ethic, Terry successful patented a number of chemical compounds during his years at Dow. He continued running and developed a passion for downhill skiing and scuba diving.
In 1992, Terry took a break from his career. He traveled to Eritria, a war-torn country on the Red Sea in Africa. Though recently victorious in its 30-year battle for independence from Ethiopia, the tiny nation struggled to re-establish its infrastructure. In particular, the only university in the nation had been inoperative for 10 years, leaving its students with no ability to finish their education. Terry helped re-open the chemistry department, finding himself teaching over 800 students until other professors arrived. He lived simply on local wages but had wonderful opportunities to explore the rich culture of the country. After fulfilling his yearlong commitment, Terry traveled to multiple other countries in East Africa. The adventures of this travel fulfilled a lifelong dream.
Just prior to his move to Eritria, Terry met his future wife. By necessity, due to conditions within the country, the couple’s courtship was conducted largely by snail mail. Upon returning to the United States, Terry married Elise (Pat) Morgan, and began fatherhood as the stepfather of his two beloved daughters, Arden Bullard Niles and Kimberley Adaire Bullard.
Working in marketing for MDL, a scientific software company with worldwide offices, Terry traveled extensively with his job, juggling parent-teacher conferences and reams of soccer games through the years. He brought his family on his work-related travels whenever possible. Many happy memories resulted. He and Elise retired to coastal North Carolina, naming their home “Longview,” due both to its view of the Intercoastal Waterway and the faith contained within all those letters that had crossed the sea.
In addition to his wife and daughters, Terry was blessed with wonderful sons-in-law, Troy Niles and Gavin Barney, as well as three precious
little granddaughters, Rose and Violet Niles, and Veda Bullard Barney.
Throughout his life, Terry explored. From the abstract and intellectual, to personal relationships, to the wonders of the physical world, Terry gave himself over with zest. He often said that it puzzled him that scientists had a reputation of skepticism about the existence of God. “When you have the opportunity to see miracles — so many patterns, up close and in the faraway skies, God’s wonder is everywhere.”
A Celebration of Life will be held at Church in the Pines in Laurel Hill, the date to be announced.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Doctors Without Borders: doctorswithoutborders.org.
Online condolences may be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is serving the Wright family.
