James L. Wright

“Jim” James L. Wright, 47, of Newton died Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at his home in Newton.

A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at the First United Methodist Church, 210 N. Second Ave. E. in Newton. The family will greet friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home in Newton.

A private family burial will be held at a later date at the Newton Union Cemetery in Newton.

Memorials to the Jasper County Animal Rescue League & Humane Society or to the First United Methodist Church may be left at the church on the morning of the service or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home. Memorials also may be mailed to the funeral home. If mailing, please add Attn: Wright Family on the envelope.

Jim was the son of Jack L. and Mary L. (Hurt) Wright. He was born May 31, 1964, in Newton, Iowa. He was a graduate of Newton Senior High School in 1982. On Oct. 25, 1986, Jim was united in marriage with Melinda R. Thoreson in Newton. He worked for the Iowa DOT and also had been a production worker at the Maytag Company for 20 years. He was a member of the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association. Jim enjoyed being with family and friends, going to his kids’ sporting events, helping others, fishing and going to car shows.

Survivors include his wife, Melinda of Newton; two daughters, Jamie L. Wright of Newton and her fiancé, Andy Dunsbergen, of Sully, and Megan Wright of Newton; son, Dillon Wright, and his fiancée, Jennifer Van Der Wilt, both of Newton; his father, Jack of Newton; brother, Rod (Vicki) Wright of Newton; sister, Shelley (Doug) Dodd of Newton; his father-in-law, Bob Thoreson of Newton; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Wright, in 2010, and his maternal and paternal grandparents.