Submitted by Price Funeral Chapel—
Tommy Hugh Wright was born at home in Bonnerdale, Arkansas, on December 10, 1932 and died in Orangevale, California on May 21, 2025.
Shortly after World War II, Wright moved from Arkansas to California where his family worked as migrant farm workers. He attended both McFarland High School and Live Oak High School, and after graduating from Live Oak High, he attended Yuba Junior College where he lettered in track (high hurdles), and graduated from California State University, Chico, with his bachelor’s degree in art.
He was drafted into the United States Army in 1956, and after basic training at Fort Ord, California, he was stationed in Erlangen, Germany and later the German town Kitzingen. At both locations, he served in the 10th Infantry Division as a supply clerk. After marrying Ingeborg Tresbach, a German registered nurse he met in Erlangen, and being discharged 1958 as a Private First Class, he moved to California with his bride where they made their home.
Wright taught 8th grade at Feather Falls School (Feather Falls, a Georgia Pacific company town), multiple grades at Mountain Spring School (a one room school house in Enterprise), English at Chico Junior High (Chico), and various grades and subjects at Arthur Dudley Elementary School (North Highlands) before earning his master’s degree at California State University, California. He served as the principal of Center Joint Elementary School and Center Junior High, subsequently opening Center High School (North Highlands/Antelope).
After retiring, he lived out his days in Citrus Heights, California, and Orangevale, California. He was predeceased by his brothers Leon and Ralph and son Roger. His is survived by his wife Ingeborg, son Steve, brother Bruce, step-son Uwe Schimanski, daughters-in-law Mary and Karin, 5 granddaughters and their husbands, one grandson, 9 great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.
To those who might consider sending flowers, the family requests donations go to the Crocker Art Musuem in Sacramento, California. The family will hold no services.
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