James Baron Wright

09/17/1933 - 07/27/2017

James Baron Wright passed away peacefully with family by his side at CreekView Health Center in Pleasanton, California Thursday morning July 27, 2017 at the age of 83. Jim was the beloved husband of Judy for 39 years, the devoted father of Peter, Erich and John Wright, adoring grandfather of Hayley, Natalie, Lauren, Kristen and James, brother to Marti Robinson and Veronica and Paul Wright, brother-in-law of Erich and Sheelah Gehring and Paula Wright, father-in-law of Kamela and Brina Wright, Uncle of Katharine Sykes, Jennifer Mayes, Paul, Sean and Rhonda Robinson, and Janelle and Noah Wright. Jim was born in San Francisco on September 17, 1933 to the late George Baron Wright and Louise Vallee Boyd. After attending Lincoln High School in SF, Jim served in the US Navy from 1950-53 as a guided missile technician. He then attended City College of San Francisco and graduated from UC Berkeley in 1958 with a BS in Electrical Engineering. In 1958 Jim joined Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore working in the electrical systems division and retired 40 years later as Director of weapons systems engineering. Jim led Exceptional Work in the Nation’s Interest with Sandia, significantly contributing to keeping the peace during the Cold War. While raising his family in Livermore, Jim was active in his sons’ youth and high school sports, Indian Guides, and various YMCA charities. He helmed the family’s Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser on vacations and enjoyed the many extended family holiday gatherings over the years. He was a die-hard fan of the Giants and 49ers, an avid reader of military history and fiction, and was a season pass holder and contributor to the San Francisco Symphony. Jim was preceded in death by his wife Judy in 2001 and son Peter in 2012. Services will be private. Donations may be made to a favorite charity.