James Melborne Wright

Jim was born on November 6, 1937. As a young man, he developed a love for athletics, running track in both high school and college at Wichita State University. It was there that he met Norma, a connection that would quietly shape the course of his life.

Following college, Jim built a career in the emerging field of computer systems, joining the Internal Revenue Service at a time when manual operations were being transformed into nationwide data processing systems. He trained as a computer programmer in Washington, D.C., and his work took him to various locations across the country, including San Francisco, Michigan, and Long Beach, California. He also spent time working at a Navy shipyard. Jim retired on August 3, 1996.

Though life initially took Jim and Norma in different directions, their story did not end there.

In 1996, shortly after his retirement, Jim sent a simple Christmas card wondering if Norma was the same young woman he had known decades earlier at Wichita State. She was. She replied. And what began as a reconnection quickly became something lasting. Within months, Norma flew to California to meet him for lunch, and from that moment on, they were inseparable.

They became engaged in 2003 and built a life rooted in companionship, laughter, and a shared love of travel. Together, they explored England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and the Netherlands, with Switzerland (especially Mürren) holding a special place in their hearts. In the United States, they enjoyed time in Solvang, California; Washington, D.C.; Lake Tahoe; the Hawaiian Islands; and many memorable family trips together.

Jim moved to Arizona, where he and Norma made their home together in Mesa and later built a home in Flagstaff that became filled with family memories, celebrations, and time spent together. Over the years, they split their time between Mesa and Flagstaff, sharing both homes with the family they loved so deeply.

In addition to traveling, Jim had a deep appreciation for history, war movies, opera, and classic television. While exploring new places, he especially enjoyed visiting historical sites and places rich with culture and history. He loved shows like Jeopardy!, The Big Bang Theory, and Everybody Loves Raymond. If he wasn’t recording something on the DVR, he was likely quoting a favorite line from one of his shows or movies. Jim was also known for insisting that the original movie was almost always better than the remake.

To Jim, strangers were simply people he hadn’t talked to yet. Whether on a plane, in a restaurant, or standing in line at a store, he could strike up a conversation with just about anyone, especially someone wearing a travel shirt or military cap. He loved hearing people’s stories and learning where they had traveled or served.

More than anything, Jim cherished being part of Norma’s family. Whether at a family dinner, a dive meet, a ballet performance, a holiday gathering, or a birthday celebration, he never missed a chance to say how much it meant to him. He often expressed how proud he was of Norma, her daughters, and their children, and how deeply he valued being included in their lives. Jim was always willing to lend a helping hand, whether driving grandchildren to activities, helping with projects around the house, or simply showing up whenever someone needed him. Some of Jim’s happiest memories were special trips to Disneyland with the family, where the wonder and magic of Courtney and Bridget’s first Disney visit became one of their most treasured family memories.

Jim also found joy in life’s simple comforts: biscuits and gravy, country fried steak, the Tour of Italy at Olive Garden, a good dessert, and time spent together with family. He had quite a sweet tooth, and candy wrappers could often be found tucked into pockets, drawers, or the laundry room long after the treats were gone. He liked his food extra hot and could almost always be found reheating a meal, no matter how fresh it was from the oven. Whether heading out for dinner, planning another adventure, or gathering everyone together, Jim’s familiar phrases were often, “When are we gonna eat?” and “Let’s go!”

Jim will be remembered for his steady presence, his curiosity, and the remarkable second chapter of life he built with Norma— one defined by enduring love, companionship, laughter, and the family life in Arizona that he cherished so deeply.

He is survived by Norma; her daughters, Lorelei Barker (Brett) and Kirsten Alexander; their daughters, Bridget and Courtney; his sons, Steven (Julie) Wright and David (Katy) Wright; granddaughter Jocelyn; and extended family grandchildren Brendan Barker and Melanie Barker Esquivias (RJ), as well as many dear friends and neighbors.

His urn will be interred at City of Mesa Cemetery.

In honor of Jim’s love for children and animals, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Arizona Humane Society.

“The life we shared together made ordinary days extraordinary.” —Anonymous