Keith Milton Wright, 88, of Newberg, Oregon, passed away 19 July 2026. He was a retired district superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene.

Keith was born on 19 January 1938, in Emmett, Idaho, to Arthur and Awilda Wright. Unfortunately, Awilda passed in March of 1939, leaving Keith, his sister, Geraldine, and brother, Phillip, without their mother. Grandma Minnie Wright moved in and helped Arthur with the children, and eventually, Arthur married Audra Horace. As a child, Keith loved living near Lake Lowell where in the winter, he could ice skate on the lake and sled. As a teenager, he had jobs harvesting wheat, canning peas, and helping Grandpa Horace pack peaches from his orchard.

Keith graduated from College High in Nampa, Idaho, in 1956, where he enjoyed playing many sports and serving on student council. He then attended Northwest Nazarene College (now university). One of his professors mentioned in a class that married students got better grades than single students. Keith quickly turned around to the girl sitting behind him and asked if she would like to get married. Liz replied, “Anything for the cause.”

Thinking practically, Keith said they might want to go on a date before marrying. It was a good date, and in September 1957, they tied the knot. Keith and Elizabeth’s nearly 69 years of marriage were solidly built around their love for each other, their two daughters Lori and Stacey, and their faith.

Keith graduated from NNC in 1961 and would go on to earn a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

During his ministry, Keith served as associate Pastor of various Nazarene Churches: Northside Church-Fort Worth, Texas; First Church-San Diego, California; and First Church-Bethany, Oklahoma. He was lead pastor at Church of Nazarene-Pompano Beach, Florida; First Church–Atlanta, Georgia; and First Church–Kansas City, Missouri. He also served as superintendent of the Kansas City District for 15 years. During this time, Keith was conferred an honorary doctorate by MidAmerica Nazarene University. In 2005, he retired and moved to Newberg, Oregon, to be close to family.

Upon retirement, he quickly returned to serving as interim pastor for several Oregon Nazarene churches and interim district superintendent for both Washington and Oregon Districts.

Throughout the years, Keith served on and chaired many advisory boards and committees for the Church of the Nazarene and universities. He assisted in developing New Church Specialties encouraging church leaders to excel.

Keith is survived by his wife Liz Wright; sister, Geraldine Perkins; daughters Lori Wright and Stacey Cook; two granddaughters, a great granddaughter and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Keith was preceded in death by his father Arthur Wright, his mother Awilda Wright, Stepmother Audra Wright, and brother Phillip Wright.