ROUND ROCK—Charles Wright, who served more than two and a half decades as administrator of Texas Baptist Children’s Home, died Oct. 8 in El Paso at age 85.
Memorial services are scheduled for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 12 in the Hankamer-Fleming Chapel on the Texas Baptist Children’s Home campus in Round Rock. Graveside services will follow at Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville. A reception is scheduled after the services for family and friends in the activity center of the children’s home.
Wright was born in Hermitige, Mo., on Aug. 18, 1926, the son of Charles and Winnie Wright. He graduated from the University of Kansas City, Southwestern Seminary and the University of Texas School of Social Work, where he obtained a master's degree. He served as pastor of Baptist churches from 1954 to 1958, and he became a social worker for the Texas Department of Public Welfare from 1959 to 1963.
Wright was the longest-serving administrator in TBCH history. Programs started during his 26-year tenure included the Emergency Shelter (now part of STARRY); the Family Care program for single mothers and their children; and Miracle Farm, a boys ranch near Brenham.
Wright was widely honored during his career at TBCH, receiving an honorary doctorate of humanities from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and being named Round Rock Citizen of the Year in 1983. He also received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the UT School of Social Work. The award later was named in his honor.
“I never met anyone who knew Charles Wright that didn’t love him and praise him for his compassion and outstanding leadership of TBCH,” said Don Cramer, vice president and chief operating officer of the Children At Heart Foundation. “He was a champion among men who loved the Lord and people, especially children and families in crisis.”
Jerry Bradley, president of Children At Heart Ministries, praised Wright as “a Christian gentleman with a professional attitude.”
"Linda and I have known he and Mary since the 1980s. It was a blessing to get to follow in his footsteps and to build upon his great legacy,” Bradley said. “His fingerprints are still upon our ministry and the lives of so many that he touched."
He is survived by Mary, his wife of 58 years, and his son, Charles, daughter-in-law Myrna, and three grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that gifts be made to the Charles & Mary Wright Scholarship Fund at the Children At Heart Foundation. Gifts can be made online at www.ChildrenAtHeartMinistries.org/donate or mailed to 1301 N Mays, Round Rock 78664.
