Kristie W Olinger

Kristie Wright Olinger, 66, left this world on February 11, 2026, but anyone who knew her understands that a spirit like hers doesn’t really leave. It lingers in music, in laughter, in a well-timed spicy comment, in the memory of a dance floor that didn’t stand a chance.

Born March 1, 1959, in Dallas, Texas, to Elouise and Richard Wright, Kristie grew into a woman who felt everything deeply and loved without reservation. Losing her mother at fourteen shaped her heart in powerful ways. It gave her an instinct for people, especially kids who were trying to figure life out.

For 27 years at Goodnight Middle School in San Marcos, she was “Miss O.” Officially, she taught 8th grade and later 6th grade science. Unofficially, she taught confidence, resilience, and how to laugh when life felt awkward. She held a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography, but her true specialty was understanding humans.

Miss O could rap. Miss O could dance. Miss O could make a room full of middle schoolers laugh, and that might be her greatest scientific achievement. One student once called her a “Legend.” They weren’t wrong.

Outside the classroom, Kristie lived with rhythm. She loved music, especially chasing a certain artist named “Bob” whenever the opportunity arose. She loved the beach, the sunshine, good wine, loud laughter, and friends gathered close. If there was dancing, she was in the middle of it. If there was a joke to be made, she’d already made it. Her wit was sharp, her attitude spicy, her smile unforgettable.

Kristie made friends effortlessly. She spoke her mind without apology, yet she lifted others up at the same time. She never forgot a birthday. She noticed the details. She paid attention. She cared. She never, ever wanted to be a burden to anyone.

She experienced different chapters in her life, including a marriage to Dave Olinger and years of travel that broadened her world.

But the great love story of her life began at eighteen, when she met Paul Prachyl at junior college in Dallas. They fell deeply in love as young adults, drifted apart for a time, and then, as real love often does, found their way back. Around 1990 they reconnected and married on October 10, 1998. They built a life full of music, travel, friendship, laughter, and unwavering devotion. She was fiercely, completely devoted to her husband, as he was to her.

Kristie was beautiful, truly beautiful, inside and out. Not just in appearance, but in spirit. In kindness. In the way she made you feel seen. She will be missed in the quiet moments. She will be missed on the dance floor. She will be missed when a song comes on that makes everyone think of her.

And somewhere in heaven, she sits in a pink Cadillac, holding two more bottles of wine and smiling that amazing smile. *In reference to two of her favorite Willow Creek songs.

Legend. Wife. Teacher. Friend. She was one of a kind.

A memorial gathering is being planned and will be announced shortly. In her memory, and in honor of the causes she cared about deeply, donations may be made to: Meals on Wheels of Central Texas, and Mobile Loaves and Fishes.