James R. Wright

Born July 7, 1922 in Shawsville, Maryland, he was the son of the late James G. and Rose A. Wright, both lifelong residents of Harford County, Maryland.

Surviving are his sons James A. Wright (Patricia) and Ronald K. Wright (Susan); grandchildren Nicholas R. Wright, Nolan C. Wright, Rebecca Zulema Wright, and Gina Valdes; brother Kenneth R. Wright and a number of nieces, nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Blanca Guerrero Wright.

He attended public schools in Harford County, Maryland. His undergraduate years at Salisbury Teachers College (now Salisbury University) were interrupted by World War II when he enlisted in the U.S. Army (1942). He served as a commissioned officer in Tank Destroyers and in the Infantry in the European Theatre of Operations in the Second Infantry Division. He was a Purple Heart Veteran, and wounded in the Battle of the Bulge.

Following his discharge from the Army in 1946, he again became a full time student. He earned degrees from Salisbury (B.S. Ed), Washington College (B.S.) and the University of Delaware (M.S. and PhD). His major academic field was organic chemistry. Subsequently, he completed the Harvard Business School Program for Management Development and was a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute.

He was married to Blanca Zulema Guererro of San Marcos, Texas in 1950.

In his professional career, he first spent eight years as a research chemist in the laboratories of Standard Oil Company of California (now Chevron). Following that, he accepted a position with the Department of Commerce, National Bureau of Standards (now NIST) in Washington, D.C. first as a senior research chemist and subsequently, as a manager of research programs. His final position in NBS was that of Deputy Director of the National Engineering Laboratory. He retired in 1985.

He was a Charter Member of the US Senior Executive Service, an Emeritus Member of the American Chemical Society, a Fellow in the American Institute of Chemists, an Honorary Member and past President of the International Union of Laboratories for Research on Materials and Structures (Secretariat, Paris, France) and a Member of the Loyal Order of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He was awarded the Department of Commerce Gold Medal for “Distinguished Achievement in The Federal Service”

Power boating on the Chesapeake Bay with family and friends, travel throughout the USA and many foreign countries, the Antique Car Hobby (Buicks) and family genealogy were all activities he pursued over the years.

He was a Charter Member of Saint Mark Presbyterian Church in North Bethesda, Maryland where he served in various capacities for more than 50 years.

A memorial service will be conducted at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Rd., North Bethesda, Maryland on Monday, March 7th, 2022 at 11 am, followed by a reception in the Church Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Saint Mark Church Memorial Fund. Please send condolences to Joseph Gawler’s Sons Funeral Home, 5130 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington DC 20016.