Wright, James R. Sr. “Jim” passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and anointed by the Holy Catholic Church, on Wednesday October 11, 2023. Jim was born on July 22, 1930, to Lillian and Joseph Wright. After returning home from proudly serving in the Korean War as a Staff Sergeant, Jim met and married the love of his life, the late Rosemary “Pat” Wright, on January 3, 1958.
Pat and Jim were blessed with two children, Susan and Jamie, and raised their family instilling the importance of devotion, patience, and love. With Susan’s marriage to Ron Hoskins, the family grew to include Paul and Alexandra Hoskins and Jessica and Ben Sutton. And Jamie’s marriage to Michelle added Cristiana and Victoria. In 2017, the next generation was born and Jim’s legacy now includes Calvin, Thea and Loralei Hoskins with Baby Sutton on the way.
Jim enjoyed countless evenings with his family on the porch – talking, listening to music, and eating as many different things as possible. He was absolutely charmed by the ability to think of an old song, an old actress, or anything from his past, and then have someone find it on their “Googler”. Much to his delight, the “Googler” ultimately also found an old Air Force buddy, Raymond Yust. Jim and Ray were able to reunite after 55 years and rekindle their friendship. Jim treasured his Saturday afternoon talks with Ray. Both were born and raised in St. Louis where all their memories started.
Visitation will be held at Mary, Mother of the Church on Wednesday, October 25, at 9:30 am until Mass at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. In 2019, Jim had an unforgettable experience in Washington DC with the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Greater St. Louis Honor Flight are appreciated.
Thoughts of you Jim flood my mind upon our arrival on K55 Korea in the early 50’s . Desolation was shared by all of us but you were there and we both knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Now, in 2023, I realize over the years how much your friendship really meant to me and how much I will miss you. God will reunite us soon and will not need an IPhone.
.
“Grandpa Jim” you are surely soaring among the angels in Heaven! We were so blessed to be included in many Wright family gatherings where we grew to love all of you as family. I especially loved hearing you talk about your experience on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight 🇺🇸 You will be missed! Hugs and prayers to all of the Wright & Hoskins family 💕
Jimmy, as my dad often called him was one of those friends that always treated us like family….as far as we were concerned we grew up as family. A very special man to my family, as Dad met Jim when they were young teenagers … they joined the Air Force together and I they did boot camp together then later in their career were separated…it turns out that Dad got first choice before Jim on assignments and he chose Tampa Bay Fl….they served in Korea together. Jim marrying Pat in 1958 and Eddie as Jim called him married Doris….both started Families and we all grew up together often seeing each other over the 4 th of July! As family is family when we moved to other states they came to visit…keeping our bond… my favorite picture is hanging on our wall of both of them showing off their proud of pot bellies with the biggest grin on their faces! Love you Jim and You will be missed…Now the 4 of you are carrying on and laughing at stories[Pat, Doris, Eddie and now Jimmy)….and Laurie too!