James Calvin Wright

James Calvin \"Jimmy\" Wright, 76, of Bedford died Thursday, July 8, 2010 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He was born in Bedford County on February 10, 1934, a son of the late Elmo Wright and Jennie Smith Wright.

Jimmy was raised on the family dairy farm, Wright Brothers Dairy Farm, and spent his life working with his family on the land he loved. He was devoted to his church, Longwood Avenue Baptist Church, his immediate family and extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins. He took joy in teaching them to fish and hunt though many camping trips. He kept a large vegetable garden and shared his bounty with others.

Jimmy was a graduate of Bedford High School and played on the 1952 undefeated football team that shared the state championship honors.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Laura Catherine Wright; four brothers, Bobby G. Wright, Walter W. Wright, Albert J. Wright and William K. Wright; two half-brothers, E. Jack Wright and Ashby E. Wright; four half-sisters, Sally W. Lewis, Maude W. Riley, Dorothy W. Link and Ruth W. Hartman.

Jimmy is survived by his wife of 49 years, Irma I. Wright; his son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Vickie Wright; his brother and sister-in-law, Charles E. and Hazel O. Wright both of Bedford; his grandchildren, Emily G. Wright and Matthew D. Wright; his sisters-in-law, Hazel O. Wright, Margaret R. Wright and Reba P. Wright.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Longwood Baptist Church Building Fund, 1304 Longwood Ave., Bedford, VA 24523, American Heart Association, 4504 Starkey Road, Roanoke, VA or American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.

Graveside Services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 12, 2010 at Virginia Memorial Park with Pastor Bill Turley officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, 586-3443.