James Arthur Wright II, age 72, passed away on May 27, 2025, in Carrollton, Texas.
He was born on June 18, 1952, in Riverside, California to Patricia and Guy McCourt. He was given up for adoption at six months old. He was adopted by Margaret and James Wright. Sadly, Margie passed away in May, 1955 leaving James to be a single parent. He remarried in June, 1957 to Clara Newsom who later adopted Jimmy.
Jim grew up in Wichita Falls, attending Catholic elementary schools and graduating in 1970 from Notre Dame Catholic High School. He attended St. Edwards University in Austin for two years, and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Midwestern State University in May, 1976.
In April, 1976 a blind date was arranged by friends for him to escort Kathleen Robinson to a sorority dance. They would marry on March 3, 1978.
In the meantime, James enlisted in the Marine Corps in March, 1977. He served 4 years stationed mainly at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan and MCAS El Toro in California. Thanks to electronics training in the Marines and an Associate degree in Electronics Technology from Saddleback Community College in California, Jim worked as an electronics technician for Rockwell International for several years and later for Lewisville ISD. He squeezed in earning another Bachelors degree, in Emergency Management, from UNT in August, 1991.
He was an Eagle Scout and later utilized his scouting experience as a troop leader. He held an amateur radio license starting in his teens. He loved to volunteer and used his radio knowledge and equipment to help in the Navy-Marine Corps Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) until its dissolution in 2015. He volunteered with the Texas State Guard for fifteen years from 2004 to 2019. Among his duties was helping with evacuation and shelter management for those affected by hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Ike, and Harvey.
In the mid-1990s, a relationship was re-established with his birth mother Pat Matthews. It turned out she had never completely lost track of him.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kathleen Wright of The Colony, Texas; his daughters Carrie Wright of The Colony, Texas; Margaret Yebra and husband Mark Victor of Everett, Washington; and Dr. Jamie Wright of Seattle, Washington; his grandchildren, Elizabeth Lorraine Yebra, Sophia Aurora Yebra, Felix James Yebra, Gemma Rose Yebra, Benjamin Thomas Yebra, Marian Ruth Yebra; his brothers Robert McCourt and wife Sandi, Don Matthews and wife Patti, David Wright and wife Diane and Carroll Wright; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
James was preceded in death by a baby daughter, Lorraine Katherine, stillborn in May 1981 and all of his parents.
A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 7000 Morning Star Drive, The Colony, Texas 75056. A graveside service and burial will follow on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cemetery, 21253 Santa Fe Street, Wichita Falls, Texas 76309.