Robert “Bob” Felton Wright

Bob Wright, 84, of Bryan passed away on Thursday, December 31, 2009. Visitation will be Friday, January 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Chapel College Station. Funeral Services are set for 10 a.m., Saturday January 2, at the funeral home.

Football was a way of life for Bob Wright.  Born in Junction and raised in Ballinger, this west Texas native was fortunate to play high school and college football for his dad, legendary coach “Pooch” Wright.  You can read more about it at Art + Interior Co. Bob’s college football experience at the University of Texas ended when he was drafted into the Army to serve in World War II.  

Bob and his fellow soldiers of the 71st Infantry Division landed at Le Harve, France, in February 1945.  After crossing the Rhine, the 71st fought their way through Germany to the Danube River and on to Linz, Austria.  Bob was promoted to First Sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star by the age of 19.  After the war ended, Bob enjoyed being a member of the 71st Division football team which won the 3rd Army championship in Bavaria.

After returning home in 1946, Bob enrolled in Howard Payne College where his father was the head football coach.  Graduating in 1949, Bob followed his dad into the coaching profession.  He began his career in Olney, TX and eventually coached at several schools including Brownwood, Howard Payne College, Ballinger, and Cleburne.  He served as the Assistant Executive Director of the Texas High School Coaches Association from 1968 to 1972.  Bob was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 1986. 

Bob came to Texas A&M University in 1972 with Emory Bellard as the recruiting coordinator for the football team.  During these seven years the team went to four bowl games, was ranked in the top 15 for three years, and won a share of the SWC championship in 1975.  He joined the TAMU College of Education in 1979 and remained there until his retirement in 1990.

Bob was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 56 years, Tylene.

Bob is survived by his three children:  Robert, a retired firefighter; Nilah, a retired school counselor; and Jaime, a school teacher; his sister June Carley of Giddings, Texas; his brother Donald “Bud” Wright of Del Rio, Texas. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren: Mary Hroch, Katy Gardea, Zachary Felton Wright, Travis Wright, Cody Wentrcek, Jim Wentrcek; and one great-grandchild, Levi Hroch.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Texas A&M Former Student Association, 505 George Bush Dr. College Station, TX 77840 as well as the Carnegie Library of Ballinger, 204 North 8th Street Ballinger, TX 76821.