Norman "Dale" Wright

Norman Dale Wright was born on April 17th, 1938, in Los Angeles, California, to SL and Marie Wright. He died February 26, 2026, leaving his earthly family to join his wife, Virginia, son Christopher, his parents, and sister Jean.

Dale grew up in Murray, Utah. He began oil painting in High School and was the Art Editor for the 1956 Murray High School Yearbook. He enjoyed painting landscapes, and many of his family friends cherish the paintings Dale generously gave to those he loved. Dad enjoyed the outdoors and would often recount scout trips into the Wasatch and Uintah mountains. He had a lifelong love of the Yellowstone and Teton National Parks, making his first trip when he was five years old and his last trip just last fall with his sons. He particularly enjoyed painting pictures of the magnificent Teton landscapes, stopping in Afton for fish at the Rocky Mountain Seafood Restaurant, and driving to the meadows and marshes hoping to catch a glimpse of elk, moose, or bear.

Dale attended BYU prior to his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to the British Isles from 1958 to 1960. While serving as a missionary, he was able to participate in the London Temple dedication. His mission turned him into a lifelong Anglophile, dressed like a British country gentleman, and returned several times to visit the friends he made in the mission field and paint the landscapes he loved. He made his last trip back to England and Wales in 2023.

After his mission, he returned to BYU and met Virginia Moody, who was from Washington, D.C. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 5th, 1961. After graduating from BYU, Dale attended a quarter of dental school in Chicago. While attending dental school, their first son, Stuart, was born. Deciding that making conversation with customers who couldn’t speak was not his cup of tea, he returned to BYU to receive a master’s degree in public administration, followed by a PhD at the University of Southern California. Their second son, Norman, was born in California.

Upon graduating, Dale joined the BYU faculty, where he worked as Professor in Public Administration for over 35 years. During this time, Dale and Virginia had two more sons, Greg and Christopher. Sadly, Christopher only lived 24 hours, but he was often in his thoughts. Dale was a devoted member of the church, serving in many callings: Seventies President, High Council, Bishopric Counselor, Singles Ward Bishop, MTC Branch President, Scoutmaster, Temple Worker. His favorite church service was taking both the Boy Scouts and the Young Women camping.

Beyond these domestic pursuits, Dale loved to see the beauties of this earth, whether natural or manmade. With his beloved Virginia, he traveled widely through Europe and the Americas. A particular favorite were the Caribbean islands where they could enjoy snorkeling, beautiful beaches, and great seafood. Dale’s other pastime was WWII history, particularly from the Utah and British perspectives.

After retirement, Dale and Virginia served as Humanitarian Missionaries to Belarus. They served a second mission to Moscow, where Virginia was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Dad was an exemplary, devoted caregiver to Virginia for 12 years until her death in 2022. While maintaining his customary positive outlook, Dale looked forward to an eventual reunion with his beloved wife.

Dale is survived by his younger sister Kaye and younger brother Paul, his three boys, Stu, Norm, and Greg, and their spouses, 9 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

An evening viewing will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. at Wheeler-Sundberg Funeral Home, 495 South State Street, Orem. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel, 2801 West 620 North, Provo, with a visitation held that morning at the church from 8:30-9:30 a.m. before the services. Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m in the Elysian Burial Gardens, at 1075 East College Street (4580 South), Millcreek, Utah.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend the services in person, you may view the Livestream HERE