James H. Wright was born November 14, 1929, in Summit, NJ. -
He was preceded in death by his wife RayJean Wright, his aunt and uncle, Minnie and Allen Mannon, who were his adopted parents, and a sister, Shirley Travis.
Jim grew up in Scotch Plains, NJ and at the age of eighteen decided to join the Army Air Corp/Airforce where he proudly served for four years. He loved airplanes so much and decided to pursue his passion for flying by getting his private pilot license which led him to move to Jacksonville, Fl. While living in Jacksonville he met his wife RayJean and together they had four children. They eventually made their home in Palatka, Florida where he started to own several businesses. They finally moved to Hastings, Florida in 1965. This is where Jim became woven into the fabric and vitality of this small town. He owned and operated a number of businesses in Hastings including S&W Appliance, Real Estate company, restaurants, laundromat, drugstore, property rentals, and a small cemetery in East Palatka. It is said that there are not many folks in Hastings who did not know him.
Jim was also a General Contractor and helped restore the original Hastings High School. He enjoyed woodworking and loved playing the piano. He also owned his own plane for years and even tried his hand at crop-dusting. The stories he could tell were very entertaining and people loved to hear his many adventures.
He served on the Hastings Town Council for many years and was an active member of the Masonic Lodge and American Legion. He loved his country and was a proud veteran. Like his many friends in Hastings, farmers never retire and neither did Jim. He enjoyed working. He never looked at life as a glass half empty and loved life to the fullest. He was a wonderful father to his four children and always remembered their birthdays as well as his grandchildren. His favorite holiday was Christmas. He loved giving presents and made it a special time for all.
Saturday, April 9, 2022, he was excited and thrilled to be a part of the Hastings High School Reunion-Spudsters where he danced his way to heaven.
Jim loved his family and friends and will always be remembered in our hearts.
He is survived by 2 daughters, Vickie Owen (Mick) of St. Augustine and Sherri Kane (Elliott) of East Palatka, 2 sons, Jimmy Wright (Johnette) of Palatka and Timmy Wright of Hastings, 3 sisters, Patty Proto of Somerdale, NJ, Dot Nelson of Franklin, NJ, Norma Yetsko of Jamesburg, NJ, 11 grandchildren, Ryan Owen (Coreen), Michael Owen (Holly Nicholson), Matthew Owen (Desiree), Sean Owen, Stephen Owen & fiancé Courtney, Jenny Lester, Melissa Payne (Rusty), Jessierae Smith (Chris), Cody Wright, Justin Collier (Tabitha) and Charlee Wright & Fiancee Morgan Graham and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services celebrating Jim’s life will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 23, 2022 at the First Baptist Church in Hastings with Pastor Ben D’Amico officiating. Burial will be at 12:00 Noon at Craig Memorial Park in St. Augustine with the U.S. Air Force rendering military honors. The family will receive friends from 6-8 P.M. on Friday, April 22, 2022 at Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.
Flowers are gratefully accepted or memorial donations may be sent to American Legion Post # 102, Hastings, FL 32145 or to Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth St., Santa Monica, CA 90401.
Memorial and condolences may be expressed to the family at Jim’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.