Cathryn Morris Wright, 81, of Amarillo, passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2022. Services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at the First Methodist Church of Canyon with Rev. Rick Enns, pastor, officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon.
Cathryn was born on March 16, 1941 in Canyon to Milton ‘Buff’ and Cathryn (Peterson) Morris. She received her B.S. in Secondary Education with a double major in English and Social Studies from West Texas State University. She worked at the West Texas State University Bookstore and Northwest Texas Hospital in the outpatient billing department prior to 1962, when she began teaching English and History in the San Angelo ISD. Shortly after moving to San Angelo, Cathryn married Carroll Wayne Wright on July 21, 1963 in the Joseph A. Hill Chapel in Canyon. In 1966, she began substitute teaching and tutoring in San Angelo. They moved to Amarillo, and from September of 1974 until January of 1975, she was a substitute teacher and tutor for Amarillo ISD.
In 1975, Cathryn began working for Opportunity Plan Inc., established by her father, Milton ‘Buff’ Morris, in 1954. She worked as bookkeeper, office manager, Vice President of Operations, and Executive Vice President. Upon her father’s retirement in 1994, Cathryn assumed the role of President of OPI, overseeing student loans, scholarships and merit awards and working with students and contributors, serving as president until present.
Cathryn was a long-time member of First Methodist Church of Canyon and was active in community service organizations. She served as secretary and president of North Plains Association for Children with Learning Disabilities, was active in the Amarillo Women’s Network, the American Association of University Women, and Texas Panhandle Alumnae Club. She was also a member of Delt Zeta Sorority where she served as recording secretary, the Association of Women Students, History Club, Phi Alpha Theta, National Honorary History Fraternity and was selected to Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges.
Cathryn loved traveling with Carroll over the years and dearly loved her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Survivors include her daughter, Leslie Ann Horton of Amarillo; her son, James Wright of Amarillo; two granddaughters, Heather Stone and Harley Horton; two great granddaughters, Kathryn Reese and McKenzie Lynn Stone; and several cousins.
The family suggests memorials be to the Opportunity Plan, Inc., PO Box 1035, Canyon, Texas 79015.