Jim Bob Wright

Leaving a rich legacy on earth, Jim Bob (JB) Wright walked into heaven in the early morning of January 17, 2023. JB was born on December 26, 1945, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to J.M. and Arlas (Jarrard) Wright, their third child and first son.

JB graduated from Capitol Hill High School in May 1964, where he was awarded the prestigious title of “Mr. Howdy.” While in high school, JB met the love of his life at church, Dana McGhee, and they were married on June 20, 1964.

JB was awarded a football scholarship to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma after high school. After completing his two years at NEO, he continued playing football and finished his degree in Business at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK.

JB and Dana’s family grew while JB was in college, welcoming Darlene in 1965 and John in 1968. Upon graduating and moving back to Oklahoma City, JB began his career with Wonder Bread Hostess Cakes, where he worked for 18 years climbing up the ranks from Delivery Driver to General Manager. They completed their family in 1971 with the arrival of their third child, Doug.

JB’s career with Wonder Bread would take him to Kansas, California, Missouri, and eventually back to his hometown, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. With the close of the Wonder Bread Hostess Bakery in Oklahoma City, JB ended his career with the company and transitioned to work for Ben E. Keith Company in 1987, where he worked until his retirement in the fall of 2014.

One of the many attributes of JB’s rich legacy was his steadfast faith and commitment to serving in the church. God equipped him with the gift of leadership, and JB was faithful to use this gift with a servant’s heart. In every church membership, he acted as a Deacon, and a Sunday School Teacher, and served on various committees, and was active in all these areas until God took him home.

JB was proud to be the husband to Dana and the father to Darlene, John, and Doug. Though, if possible, he found a new level of joy at being Granddad to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He took the greatest pleasure in watching his grandchildren grow and was quick to brag about them in all ages and stages of their lives.

JB loved to travel with Dana, and he enjoyed seeing several countries through the years. However, one of his favorite excursions was their twice-a-year trip to Round Top with friends. He was fond of visiting antique stores and was an avid collector of western art, primarily paintings by G. Harvey. JB was a consummate reader, mostly western novels, and liked watching old westerns and football on tv.

JB was greeted in heaven by his parents, his two sisters, Mittie (Mitzi) Wright Freeman and Beverly Wright Chapman, and his little brother, Jerry Max Wright. He is survived by his wife, Dana, of their home in Burleson, TX, and his three children; Darlene Wooldridge (husband, Neal), of Oklahoma City, OK; John Wright (wife, Kimberly) of Overland Park, KS; and Doug Wright (wife, Dede), of Burleson, TX. He is also survived by ten grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

JB’s absence on this earth will leave an immeasurable hole, but his last words will stand as a gift to his family and a testament to his legacy. He opened his eyes and said his final words, “Walking into heaven.” His last words pale only to the first words he heard as he walked into heaven, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”