Jim was born on September 23, 1935 in Eupora, MS.  He graduated from Eupora High School in 1955 and then joined the MS Army National Guard. From there, he began his professional career in the banking industry, working for Deposit Guaranty, Rankin County Bank, Trustmark and ending his career retiring from Merchant's and Farmers Bank. He was member of Meadow Grove Baptist Church and through the years was active in many community and governmental affairs, including the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce, Rankin County Industrial Development Authority, Advisory Board of Hinds Jr. College, Legislative Committee of the Mississippi Bankers Association, the Board of the YMCA of Rankin County, the Kiwanis Club of Rankin County, Mississippi Regional Housing Authority and a member of the Masonic Lodge. With a passion for helping children, Jim and his wife Mary served as foster parents until the untimely death of their daughter, Dawn. They then founded the Rankin County Shelter Care for Children in her memory.

He would say, though, that his greatest accomplishment was his family. He and his wife Mary have been married for 64 years. He was a loving father to three children and Papaw to four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Besides spending time with family, he enjoyed being outdoors and was an avid gardener. Any time you passed his house you may have seen him out riding his golf cart or tractor, mowing the grass or just "piddling" in the yard.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James Horace (Bilbo) Wright and Kathareen Cooper Wright, brothers Robert Wright and Don Wright. Also preceding him in death, is his daughter Dawn Wright. He is survived by his wife Mary Wright, son Stan Wright (Rebecca), daughter Tara Renfrow (Daniel); grandchildren Kelli Raines (Michael), Tyler Wright (Caitlyn), Sarah Catherine Yawn, Maggie Yawn and Lily Grace Yawn, Cory Wheeless and Ryan Wheeless; great-grandchildren Abby, Emma Kate, Amelia and Briley; sisters Carolyn Little and Joyce Clodfelter.