James Arthur Wright, 84, of Nansemond Parkway, Suffolk, transitioned Sunday, March 4, 2018, at Naval Medical Center—Portsmouth. He was the son of the late Mary Lou Wright Gary and Milton Wiggins. Besides his parents he is preceded in death by sisters, Ida Bell Chapman and Rachlena Phillips; four brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.

James was a graduate of East Suffolk High School. He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1963 and transitioned to Norfolk Naval Shipyard, where he retired in 1993 after 28 dedicated years. He was a faithful member of Rising St. James, where he served as chairman of the Deacon Ministry, Sunday School superintendent, member of Kick the Habit Ministry and a member of the Disabled American Veterans.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Andoris M. Wright, of Suffolk; daughter, Mary Wright Gay (Ben), of Norfolk; special “daughters,” Sharon Crowder, of Italy, Lora Walton, of Suffolk, Vanessa Jones, of Norfolk, and Theresa Robinson, of Portsmouth; special son, Bradford Knight, of Portsmouth; sister, IsaBell Powell, of Suffolk; granddaughter, Andrea A. Burgess (Nigel); three great-grandchildren, Trevell Wright Copeland, Isisah J. Wright Allmon and Niaija Wright Burgess; special grandson, Gregory Crowder, eight brothers-in-law; eight sisters-in-law; a host of other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, 2018, at Rising St. James. Elder Frank Jones will deliver the message of comfort. He will be laid to rest in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home Inc.