James (Jim) L. Wright, age 82, of Daytona Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on Friday December 19, 2025 at Halifax Health-Hospice Port Orange Care Center . Born on September 22, 1943 in Peoria Illinois, he was the youngest of three sons born to Wilborn Leslie Wright and Mary Jane McDermott.   Jim was preceded in death by his parents Wilborn Leslie Wright and Mary Jane McDermott, brothers Thomas Wright and Robert Wright, his wife Bonnie (Hagg) Wright and one son in law Mark Young.

He is survived by his daughter Julie (Paul) Hackwith, grandson Zac (Shannon) Young and granddaughter Margaret (Benjamin) Chrisman; daughter Jill (Rodney) Humes, grandson Brennan Humes; daughter Jodi (Chuck) Behymer, grandson Joshua Behymer, and great grandchildren Xavier Young, Vedder Young, and Charleigh Chrisman. He is also survived by his niece Cindy (Wright) Haggard and nephew Jeff Wright, children of Robert Wright and by Irene Samantha Wilson.

Jim moved to Florida in his retirement but always considered Illinois to be his home. He was a friend to many and a beloved father to his girls. He was a hard worker, holding a multitude of diverse jobs from baker and cake decorator, manager of a grocery store, to an employee of Ashland Chemical Plant in Mapleton, Illinois. Jim pursued his dream of becoming a police officer and started  as a Patrol Officer with the Pekin Police Department on November 1, 1979. He then worked as a Juvenile Officer and finally as an Investigator with the Detective Department until he retired in September 1987. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and was instrumental in securing the first contract between the City of Pekin and The Pekin Police Department. Jim had a love for and a great knowledge of automobiles and car racing. He was skilled at woodworking and made many furniture pieces. He was an avid reader, especially  Westerns. He liked eating out and finding new places to take his girls and friends when they visited. He enjoyed scenic drives along the coast on his motorcycle, traveling the United States, country music, playing cards, watching westerns, and getting together regularly with his coffee buddies. He told the best stories of his childhood antics, from his years on the police force, and memories of his girls. He gave the best practical and common-sense advice.

A Celebration of Life Service is planned for Friday,  March 6, 2026, at Lohman Funeral Home, 1423 Bellevue Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida. Visitation will be  from 1:00 pm to 1:30pm with the service to follow. Memorials can be made to Halifax Health-Hospice Port Orange Care Center, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, Florida, 32129.

Arrangements entrusted to LOHMAN FUNERAL HOME DAYTONA, 1423 Bellevue Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 386-267-1100