James R. Wright, 82 of Gillespie, died at Memorial Medical Center, Springfield on Sunday, March 5, 2023, at 9:58 p.m. He was born on July 11, 1940, in Alton to Clyde Wright and Freda Boker Wright.
James graduated from Marquette High School in Alton in 1958. He married Ann Marie Cox on July 23, 1965, at SS Peter & Paul Church in Alton. He was retired after having been the owner/operator for Wrights Cleaning. James was a veteran of the US Army. He was a member of the Macoupin Amateur Radio Club and SS Simon & Jude Church.
He is survived by his son, Russell J. (Jodi) Wright of Hamel; daughter, Sandra (John) Scott; brothers, Stephen (Patricia) Wright of Springfield, Larry Wright of Mokena, and Roger Wright of Springfield; sisters, Janet Jenkins of Wood River, and Mary Kay Curry of Godfrey; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
James was preceded in death by his parents; spouse; daughter, Lynn Cameron; grandson, Matthew Wright; brother, Kenneth Wright; sister in law, Doris Wright; and brothers-in-law, Jonathan Curry and Edward Jenkins.
A memorial mass will be on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 10:30 am at SS Simon & Jude Church, Gillespie. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Gillespie. Memorials are suggested to SS Simon & Jude Church, Gillespie. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.