James Michael Wright

James M. “Mike” Wright was born on September 1, 1947, and died in a hiking accident in Smoky Mountains National Park on July 2, 2024. The son of a hairdresser and power plant operator, Mike grew up in Morristown, TN, a place that he loved to return to for both the mountains and his long friendships. In his youth, he was the quiet, beloved, big brother. In high school, he was an outstanding student and a tight end for the championship winning Morristown High School Hurricanes. Upon graduation, he was accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point. After graduation in 1969, he was commissioned as an officer and served his country in both Germany and Vietnam. He ended his military service in 1976 as a Captain at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he met the love of his life, Doris Phillips, through a mutual friend.

Following his army career, Mike graduated from Harvard Business School in 1979. Mike worked for oil and gas companies, applying his military experience and education to develop and enhance their business plans. His work took him all over the world.

Later in his career and into retirement, Mike helped rehabilitate several small companies, providing mentorship and experienced business counsel. He worked for a brief time as a substitute high school teacher at Northbrook High School and later as adjunct faculty at Texas Woman's University. He ran as an underdog libertarian candidate to be a Texas Railroad Commissioner in 2018. Always willing to offer his wisdom, his latest mentoring role was with his son, as Sam launched North Shepherd Brewing in 2023.

In addition to his work life, he was an active member of Spring Branch Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder, as treasurer, and on several committees. Mike also was a member of the Live Oak Friends. At the time of his passing, was a member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church where he attended the Contemplative service.

Mike and Doris married in Marion, IN, in August 1978. Kate was born in North Carolina, and the three settled in Houston, TX, in 1981. Sam was born shortly thereafter.

From Mike, his kids gained a love of baseball, history, reading, and grilling. Mike was frequently the volunteer coach for his son’s and daughter’s softball, baseball and soccer teams. As Astros Buddies, the family attended baseball games together in the Astrodome. In recent years the family enjoyed playoff games and even the World Series in Minute Maid Park. Mike loved reading, particularly the morning newspaper and military history. He liked his steak medium with salt and pepper. They are forever shaped by his character and his memory.

Throughout his life, Mike was a champion for the good. He was proud of his 50 gallon donation to the blood center. Mike was known among friends, neighbors, and family for his integrity, no-nonsense approach, vitality, punctuality, non-judgement, as well as a quirky sense of humor. He was often working to help someone he knew find a connection to someone else in his orbit, always with the purpose of helping them find an opportunity that they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

In “retirement”, Mike learned to play and then loved to play golf. He brought friends and friends of friends together for tee times more days than not. Most recently, he was the tee time master for early mornings on Mondays and Thursdays at Gus Wortham Golf Club.

Mike’s birthday was usually celebrated over Labor Day weekend with his favorite meal, Doris’ spaghetti, followed by a healthy serving of lemon meringue pie.

Mike loved being with his family at home as well as on vacations all over the United States, for which he planned all the travel routes and did most of the driving, always just under the speed limit. As four granddaughters were added to the family, they became his pride and joy. They all loved their weekly time and sleepovers with their grandparents and he loved seeing them in their activities and at school events. Their granddaddy will be missed by them all.

Mike’s parents were James Samuel Wright and Edith Bray Wright of Morristown, TN. He is survived by his wife, Doris Wright; his daughter, Kathryn “Kate” Cross (Jeremy); his son James Samuel “Sam” Wright (Rachel) and his four grandchildren: Amy and Ellie Cross and Maggie and Nora Wright; his sister, Janice Rhodes (Clayton); his brother, Steve Wright (Margaret); and two nieces, Danielle Copenhaver and Allison Rhodes; as well as Doris’ family, including siblings and their spouses, nieces, nephews, and many grand-niblings.

We are each grateful for your kind words, your prayers, and for holding us in your hearts. All are invited to the memorial service in the Chapel of the Chapelwood United Methodist Church campus (11140 Greenbay St., Houston, TX 77024) at 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 10, 2024, to celebrate Mike’s life. For those that would need another way to remember Mike, the family suggests gifts to the West Point Association of Graduates (westpointaog.org/giving/why-give using James Wright class of 1969); donating a pint of blood or a few platelets; or just write a couple of emails to those you love, preferably in all caps.