Jim was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Cora "Sue" (nee Barbee) and James H. Wright on November 1, 1949. He grew up in Cincinnati and married his sweetheart, Nancy Ooten, in 1968. Jim proudly served in the United States Army.

In his spare time, Jim enjoyed the outdoors and loved to hunt and fish. He also liked to play the scratch offs with hopes of having some extra spending money especially for family vacations to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. More than anything, spending time with his family and being the best Pawpaw ever was most important to Jim.

Jim is the beloved husband of Nancy (nee Ooten) Wright; devoted father of Melissa (Corey Strayhorn) Wright, Amy (Bill) Lievens and Angela Wright; cherished Pawpaw of Tashea (Ronald Herndon) Robinson, Eric Robinson, Darren Lievens, Tevin Wright, Anthony Burton and Great-Pawpaw to Ka'von Riley, Honor Herndon, Aleyah Herndon, Khamari Herndon and Eli Burton; dear brother of the late Roger (the late Judy) Barbee, Kenneth (the late Donna) Wright, Charles (Sandra) Wright, Gloria (David) Schafer, Phyllis Wright and Timothy Wright; he is also survived by his close friends Derrick Burton and Kristi Pridemore as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Jim will be held on Friday, August 18, 2023 at Paul R. Young Funeral Home in Hamilton/Lindenwald from 10 am until the time of the funeral service at 12 pm. Burial to immediately follow at Butler County Memorial Park. Donations to assist the Wright family with funeral expenses are welcome and can be made to the funeral home.