James A. "Jim" Wright

IN MEMORY OF: James A. “Jim” Wright Serving Location: CRAIN FUNERAL HOME – ANNA 135 West Vienna Street, Anna, Illinois James A. “Jim” Wright, age 86, of Ware, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2025 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born on July 13, 1938 to Wayne Karl “Kate” and Ivory (Wilson) Wright in Union County, Illinois. He retired from Choate Mental Health. He worked for five years at the Murray Center in Centralia and then transferred to Choate Mental Health for 25 years. His passion was watching his grandsons participate in sports, play bingo, and go to the casino. He loved to watch any sport on television and the St. Louis Cardinals was his favorite team. In his younger years, he loved to fish and hunt. He also loved his fried chicken. Jim was an active member of the Democrat Party for his entire life, serving as a Precinct Committeeman for over 50 years. He worked diligently for the election of hundreds of office holders, at the local, state, and federal levels. Jim was also a strong AFSCME Union member both while an employee at Choate and he continued his activism after he retired. He had served as President of AFSCME Retirees Local Subchapter 90 for 30 years. Jim made hundreds of trips to Springfield to fight against layoffs, also fighting for our pensions, and our healthcare. He was recently presented with a plague from AFSCME thanking him for his years of dedication to the cause and for inspiring others to keep fighting the good fight. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Vonda and Steve Benefield and grandsons, Skylar Benefield and Brayden Benefield all of Anna; brother, Richard Wright of Dexter, MO; sisters, Beverly Ellis of Grand Tower, Sharon Smith of Poplar Bluff, MO, Vicki Wilson of Ware, Debbie Wright of Cobden, and Karen Wright of Ware; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Bill Wright; sisters, Barbara Foster, Lois Dickerson, Ruth Allen, Sondra Clover, and Audrey Wright. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Bobby Henson officiating and Flag presentation by the Illinois National Guard at Crain Funeral Home in Anna. Interment will take place at a later time at Anna City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be made to Shawnee CUSD #84 for the Christmas Giving Tree Program. Crain Funeral Home in Anna, Illinois is in charge of arrangements.

James A. "Jim" Wright

July 13, 1938 - January 20, 2025