The Road She’ll Never Return: The Fateful Night of a 40 Year Old Rodeo Cowgirl
South Texas’s rodeo community is mourning the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Morgan Montello Wright, a beloved wife, mother, and accomplished cowgirl whose life was tragically cut short on September 29, 2025. The 40-year-old had celebrated her birthday just two days earlier — a moment of joy that now feels unbearably bittersweet.
A Life Rooted in Family, Faith, and Rodeo
Born on September 27, 1985, in El Campo, Texas, Morgan grew up surrounded by horses, family values, and a community that embodied the Western way of life. Friends recall her as someone who radiated both discipline and warmth — the kind of person who could balance grit and grace, whether in the rodeo arena or in the classroom.
Beyond her love for rodeo, Morgan devoted her professional life to helping others. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with Special Education certification from Sam Houston State University and a Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Stephen F. Austin State University. For years, she served as a speech pathologist, most recently at Lufkin Independent School District, where colleagues admired her quiet strength and compassion for students facing communication challenges.
“She had a heart that never ran out of patience,” one coworker shared. “Her students adored her, and her colleagues respected her for her calm dedication.”
Outside of work, Morgan was first and foremost a family woman. She is survived by her husband, Jimmy Friday Wright II, and their two daughters — Rylee Faith (9) and Rani Grace (6) — who were the center of her universe. Friends say she often spoke of them as her “greatest rodeo wins.”
A Tragic Afternoon in Lufkin
Around 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, Morgan was driving her Ford Explorer through downtown Lufkin when tragedy struck. According to Lufkin Police Department reports, officers had been pursuing a stolen Chevrolet pickup truck driven by a 16-year-old suspect. What began as a vehicle theft quickly escalated into a high-speed pursuit that tore through city streets.
At the intersection of Third Street and Frank Avenue, the stolen truck ran a stop sign and slammed into Morgan’s SUV. The impact was catastrophic.
First responders rushed to the scene, where Morgan was found critically injured. She was airlifted to a hospital in Tyler, but despite the efforts of medical teams, she succumbed to her injuries later that day.
The teenage driver was transported to a local hospital, treated for minor injuries, and later released. Authorities have confirmed that criminal charges are pending as the investigation continues.
For the Wright family, the word “accident” feels hollow. What happened wasn’t fate — it was a chain of reckless decisions that robbed a family of a wife and mother, and a community of one of its brightest spirits.
An Outpouring of Grief and Solidarity
The news of Morgan’s death spread quickly across Texas. Within hours, the Youth Rodeo Association and local rodeo circuits began posting tributes, describing her as “a champion in and out of the arena.” Messages flooded social media — not only from Texas but from across the country — from friends, former students, and rodeo families who had crossed paths with her gentle yet unyielding spirit.
At Lufkin ISD, where she worked, counselors were made available for staff and students grieving her loss. District officials issued a statement calling her “a pillar of professionalism and kindness.”
The Wells Independent School District, where her husband serves as superintendent, released a message of support as well:
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the Wright family. Morgan was an extraordinary woman whose presence touched countless lives in education and in our rodeo community.”
In her obituary, the Carroway Funeral Home described Morgan as a woman remembered not only for her rodeo accomplishments but for “her radiant smile, her devotion to her family, and the gentle strength she carried into every room.”
To honor her memory, the family has established a scholarship fund for Rylee and Rani — ensuring that their mother’s legacy continues through the education she valued so deeply.
A Symbol of the Western Spirit
Morgan Wright represented the kind of spirit that defines the American rodeo tradition — courage, endurance, and humility. Friends from her rodeo days recall how she competed fearlessly but always carried herself with quiet grace. “She was the kind who’d win a barrel race, then stay to help others untangle their reins,” one longtime friend said.
Her loss has reignited discussions about the dangers of police pursuits in populated areas, particularly when stolen vehicles and teenage drivers are involved. Law enforcement officials in Lufkin have stated that a review of pursuit procedures is underway.
For many, though, beyond the legal and logistical debates, the tragedy has become a deeply personal reminder — of how fleeting life can be, and how love, laughter, and legacy can be erased in a heartbeat.
The Echo She Leaves Behind
In the days following her passing, the Wright family’s home has filled with flowers, prayers, and handwritten notes. Some come from local ranchers, others from parents whose children once worked with Morgan in speech therapy. Each letter speaks of gratitude — for her kindness, her warmth, her ability to make others feel seen.
“She never chased fame,” a family friend said quietly. “She just wanted to make a difference. And she did.”
Her husband and daughters now face an unimaginable road ahead. But those who knew Morgan say she would want them — and everyone who loved her — to keep riding forward, no matter how rough the trail.
“That’s what she taught us,” one friend reflected. “No matter the fall, you get back on the horse.”
A Legacy That Outrides Tragedy
As South Texas prepares to lay Morgan to rest, her story has transcended the rodeo circuit and entered the hearts of thousands. She wasn’t a celebrity. She wasn’t someone who sought the spotlight. But in the way she lived — with quiet integrity, relentless love, and unwavering courage — she became the kind of person people don’t forget.
The road she traveled on that Sunday may have been her last.
But for those who knew her — for the students she taught, the horses she rode, the family she adored — her journey will never truly end.