James T. Wright Obituary
Lifetime Eastland resident, James T. Wright, passed away on January 29, 2015. He was 88 years of age. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on February 1 at First Baptist Church in Eastland under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Dr. Shawn Brewer, Pastor of First Baptist Church in Eastland, will officiate.
James was born in Eastland on August 5, 1926, to Arthur W. Wright, Sr., and Ada Wright. He attended Eastland High School, and, after leaving Eastland to serve his country as a member of the United States Navy (Seabees), James returned to Eastland, where he spent the remainder of his life.
A charter member of Bethel Baptist Church in Eastland, James served there as Sunday School and Training Union teacher, and song leader. James later became an active member, elder, and song leader of First Christian Church in Eastland. He was a long-time active member, president and song leader of the Men’s Fellowship Bible Class in Eastland.
James and his wife, Lea, owned and operated Wright Dry Cleaners and later owned and operated Modern Dry Cleaners in Eastland for many years. After they sold Modern Dry Cleaners, James became manager of the Eastland Chamber of Commerce where he served for many years. If for nothing else, James will be remembered for his fierce support of and loyalty to his hometown of Eastland. James’s tenure at the chamber saw healthy economic growth in Eastland. He worked tirelessly at securing the many new industries and businesses that were added under his leadership —not the least of which were those businesses along the then newly-established “Miracle Mile”on East Main. James truly was Eastland’s Ambassador.
The young citizens of Eastland were also one of James’s main concerns. In the 1950’s, James worked with the teenage baseball league at the old Fireman’s Field in Eastland. Later, he was instrumental in organizing the little league program in Eastland. He served as president of the league for many years. During that time, James spearheaded the construction of the first little league ballpark in Eastland. The city named the field “Wright Field.” It stood on the site where the EISD tennis courts are currently located.
From bringing smiles and hopes to the faces of little ones at Christmas time as, for years, he walked around the City Square each Saturday in each December handing out candy to kids and receiving their “Santa requests,” to his tireless promotion of his beloved Eastland, James’s community involvement goes beyond the time and space limitations allotted here. Those who really knew him best know what those efforts were and will forever remember him for them.
James was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Lea Wright. He was also predeceased by a granddaughter, Jana Michelle Cogburn, by his mother and father, by a brother, A.W. Wright, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Barbara (sons Chris Fetter and Sean Fetter; sisters, Myrna Getz and Pamela Lindsey), by a son, Jim Wright and his wife Pat, by a daughter, Jeannie Walker and her husband, D.J. (David) Walker, by grandsons Kevin Wright and his wife Amy, Jason Cogburn and his wife Laurie, granddaughters Vicki Bradley and her husband Jeff, Kristi Brixey and her husband Jeryl, Brandi Wright and Haley Duck, Jacey Storm and her husband, Stephen, Ashley Crowder and her husband Tom, and Blakeney Hodges and her husband Talmage, Scottie Walker, Dustin Walker and wife, Jolene, and Jennifer Walker. James is also survived by sister-in-law Nancy Humphreys (wife of Clint Humphreys, deceased) and by numerous great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family members and a host of friends.
Those who wish may make donations in James’s name to their favorite charity.