James Thomas Wright

James Thomas Wright (Jim), a devoted family man, decorated military officer, and accomplished aerospace engineer, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 19, 2024. He was born to Venita Anna Wright and Richard Arthur Raw on October 21, 1933, in San Francisco, California.

Jim spent his early childhood in San Francisco before moving with his mother to Hawthorne, Nevada. He attended Mineral County High School, where he was actively involved in student leadership, serving as treasurer, vice president, and ultimately president of his class. He participated in athletics, playing basketball, football, baseball, and soccer, and graduated as valedictorian. He then attended the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), where he played on the football team and participated in ROTC while pursuing a degree in electrical engineering. It was at a fraternity party during his time at UNR that he met the love of his life, Joyce Delores Wright.

Following graduation from UNR, he and Joyce married and moved to Augusta, Georgia, where he was stationed with the U.S. Army Signal Corps. While stationed in Augusta, he and Joyce welcomed their first child, Jeffery Thomas Wright. Following his active duty, he joined the Army Reserves and they returned to Los Angeles, where he began his career at Hughes Aircraft in El Segundo.

He was a proud father to five children: Jeffery Thomas Wright, Jay Wright (married to Jeanine Robles-Wright, with children Amanda Nungaray [and her husband Cesar, with their children Eliana, Lilah, and Ezequiel], Parker Wright, Jayson Wright [married to Megan Becker Wright], and step-son Conner Robles-Emery), Jan Paul Wright (J.P., married to Tina Wright, with daughters Claire, Avery, and Lauren Wright), Jaron Wright (married to Nicholle Wright), and Jennifer Shaw (married to David Shaw, with children Annelise Shaw [engaged to Cailin Tamplin], Alyssa White [married to Elijah White], and Michael Shaw).

He and Joyce cherished their time with their grandchildren until her passing on March 8, 2007. Jim continued to be a devoted presence in his grandchildren's lives. When his grandchildren were young, he delighted in playing Santa Claus, bringing joy and magic to their Christmas each year.

Jim had a distinguished career in aerospace, working on the Surveyor program in the 1960s and many other significant projects. He also earned a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering from UCLA. Concurrent with his aerospace career, he dedicated 32 years to the Army Reserves, ultimately retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.

His hobbies included spending time with his family, stamp collecting, coin collecting, and completing jigsaw puzzles. He especially loved Christmas and the joy of interacting with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In 2023, Jim moved to Santa Barbara to be closer to his great-grandchildren, where he resided in a senior living facility until his peaceful passing. His piercing blue eyes, infectious smile, and charm will be missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to any Veterans association or homeless shelter of your choice.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Lighthouse Memorials & Receptions, White & Day Center, 901 Torrance Blvd., Redondo Beach, CA.