James Lawrence Wright

 James Lawrence Wright  (Known as  Butch – Lawrence – Jim)

 Was Born - March 10, 1942 in  Ashton, Idaho to his Mother Florence Elise Wright (called Elise) he never knew his father. Jim was raised by his  grandparents – James Claude and Mary Canna Wright in Rupert, Idaho.

He went through all 12 grades of his education in the Rupert schools. When he was 18 (1960) he joined the National Guard. He spent 6 months in the active Army as required and came back to Rupert to the National Guard and went to work at Ore – Ida in Burley, Idaho. In February of 1964 he met Lillian May King who became his wife on June 19, 1964.

March 29, 1966, Jim became a father to a baby girl, Anna Fern. He was still a member of the Rupert National Guard. Life in February 1967 had brought changes and expenses. The decision was made to join the Army full time. His rank in the Guard was Sergeant E -5. He had to go through Basic Training again and his rank dropped back to Private. Unexpectedly at the end of 6 weeks of Basic Training the Army gave orders to Vietnam. He had 30 days at home. Got to hear his daughter call him Daddy and then he was gone to war. An April 1967, a year of fighting, seeing death, losing friends, receiving his rank to E – 5 again in a matter of weeks due to his previous experience of years in the Guard. In April of 1968 Jim came home with orders for him and his family to go to Germany for the next 2 years.

In September of 1968 Jim had to have surgery on his right leg due to problems caused from miles of walking in Vietnam.

On March 31, 1969, he once again became a father. This time in Nürnberg, West Germany his son was born, James Daniel.

February 27, 1970, Jim, and his family was once more in Burley, Idaho. He went to work at Simplot potato plant in Heyburn. In 1971 he bought his first and only home. Simplot went on strike. Jim went back to work at Ore – Ida. Then changed to McCains and Jim retired from working in 2004. He had worked for 30 years at the plant. He was a worker! He saw his kids graduate from school. He saw them serve missions for the church. He saw his daughter come home from her mission and work, get married and get some college with lots of computer knowledge and even be a substitute teacher as well as other jobs. He saw his son complete his college and mission service and become a Highway Patrolman for 20 years and service in the Ogden Temple security.

He became a grandfather of 4 of whom he was very proud. Three girls and a boy.

He had lots of surgeries that slowed him down, but he still took part in the V.F.W. of which 2 years he served as commander, and the Vietnam Veterans organization in the Burley Rupert area. He led a hard-working life taking care of his family but through it all, in one way or another, - He was always a solder! After retirement from the potato plant due to hip and knee replacement and 30 years of hard work, when he got back to walking normally, he drove the Disabled Veteran’s Van to Boise VA Hospital for almost 3 years. He had to quit driving it, but he still did tons of time with the Vets for years until 2022 when his physical health said “No!” no one loved being military like Jim. He ended his active service as a Sargent E – 6. Twenty-one and half years in the active Army and the National Guard, then in the V.F.W. and Mini – Cassia Vets a total of 40 years or so.

Though it all – Jim was always a Soldier!

Grave side services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 30, 2024 at the Riverside Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the direction of Morrison Payne Funeral Home.

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