James Wright

James W. Wright of Traverse City, MI passed away on July 18, 2026 in Traverse City after a short illness, at age 86.

Jim was born in Defiance, Ohio to William Max and Gertrude (Bick) Wright on April 13, 1940. He lived a full, prosperous. and adventurous life.

Jim attended Manistee High School. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a BBA in Industrial Management (1964), Wayne State University (MBA – International Management 1968), and Central Michigan University (MS – Industrial Technology 1972). While at Western Michigan, he was a member of Delta Chi fraternity.

He served honorably with the U.S. Air Force and was later affiliated with the U.S. Army Reserve as an Intelligence Analyst for 14 years. Most of his time with the USAR he held the designation of IRR (Individual Ready Reservist). He also performed contract work assignments for the NSA, DIA, and the U.S. Department of State.

His professional work career begins in 1964 in the foundry industry with General Motors Pontiac Motor Division, GM Central Foundry Division, Chrysler Corporation, and the Marmon Group. In 1974, he was appointed the Country and Site Project Manager, with E.M. Wood & Associates for the construction of the Tabriz Casting Facility in Tabriz, Iran. He joined the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO) in 1976 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia as a Senior Project Controls Engineer responsible for providing project on-site scheduling and contract administration expertise for oil & gas facilities and infrastructure projects being designed in: the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Korea, Italy, Germany, Japan, and the USA, and constructed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He joined the Asian Development Bank in Manila, Philippines in 1981 as a Project Director and held responsibility for the development and implementation of country loans for industrial and mining projects in the Philippines, Malaysia, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, and Nepal. He returned to the Middle East in 1984 as a project controls manager with Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation and remained in-country during Gulf War I. Jim returned to the U.S. in 1995 to become president of the Engineering Contracting Company and performed contract work assignments for engineering and construction firms in: South Africa, Venezuela, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and the USA. During his working career he also was affiliated with Ferris State College, University of Maryland (Asian Division), and Tri-State University as both a full time, and adjunct, professor of business & international management studies.

Jim is survived by his loving and caring wife and very best friend of 28 years Kay Germaine. Also surviving him are nieces Lisa Gordman and Leslie Thomas of Alexandria, VA. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Dee Cummings, Aunt, Clara Mueller, and his Bichon pets, Abbie and Cocoa and numerous aunts and uncles. Jim was a life member of the Elks Lodge 323 and American Legion organizations. In lieu of flowers, those planning a memorial donation may wish to consider the Cherryland Humane Society or Public Broadcasting Masterpiece Trust. At his request, cremation has taken place and there are no plans for a service.

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