James "Jim" Donald Wright

James “Jim” D. Wright, 94, died on February 27, 2024 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota.

Jim was born on May 19, 1929 in Fargo, North Dakota, the son of Arthur W. Wright and Edith Flack Wright. He graduated from Sutton, N.D. High School and the University of North Dakota. In the U.S. Air Force, he served with atomic testing task forces in New Mexico, Nevada, and the Marshall Islands. Jim married Gloria Quanrud on May 2, 1952 in Albuquerque, NM. In 1953 they returned to ND where he earned his Master’s Degree and CPA certificate.

In 1957 Jim began a 29-year career with the U.S. Steel Transportation companies, assigned twice to the Chicago area, twice to Pittsburgh, and finally to Duluth where he served as Comptroller, and on the Board, of the Duluth, Missabe, and Iron Range Railway.

After his retirement in 1985, Jim and Gloria relocated to Lake Havasu City, AZ. In 2015 they moved back to Duluth. Wherever they lived, Jim was active in their Lutheran churches, serving on councils, as congregation President, and Vice President, and in visitation ministries. For 30 years Jim taught Bible studies and seminars on prayer and healing. He was a member of the Order of St. Luke, serving for 12 years on its international board. He was involved in politics and community activities, including coaching and managing youth hockey. While in Naperville, Illinois, he served as President of All Seasons Sports, Inc. during the planning and building of its hockey arena. Jim enjoyed golfing, gardening, and landscaping. He was particularly proud of his Arizona citrus trees. Jim was a man of great integrity. He was bright, kind, hard-working, humorous, and generous. Above all he was a person who was saved by grace through the gift of God-given faith in Jesus Christ.

Jim was preceded in death by his daughter Kathy (Dr. William Harris) in 2004; and his brother, Kenneth in 1957. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Gloria; sons, Thomas (Diana) of Fifty Lakes, MN, and Kenneth (Susan) of Duluth; six grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.

Visitation to be held at 10:00 AM on Sat. March 9th at New Life Lutheran Church, 4320 Haines Rd, with Funeral Service at 11:00 AM and a reception to follow. Interment at the MN State Veterans Cemetery – Duluth in Saginaw, MN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to St. Luke’s Hospice Duluth, will be appreciated.

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