James Marvin Wright Jr.

James M. Wright, Jr. of Chestertown, Maryland, passed away on May 6, 2026, surrounded by his family, following a brief illness. Born in Baltimore on November 19, 1953, to Norma Lee Wright and the late James M. Wright, Sr., Jim spent his early years in Medwick Garth before moving with his family to the Eastern Shore in 1964. Jim graduated from Chestertown High School in 1971 and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1975. He attained his Professional Engineer’s license from the State of Maryland in February 1980. Jim married Susan Newcomb on May 17, 1980, and they settled in Chestertown, where they raised two daughters, Kristen and Ashley. Shortly after graduating from college, Jim began working as a civil engineer for Queen Anne’s County Department of Public Works. He later worked for Rauch, Walls and Lane, Inc., a private engineering consulting firm. He spent most of his career working with Kent County Government, beginning in August 1991, when he was hired as the first civil engineer in the public works department. He later agreed to take over the buildings and grounds maintenance division in 2010. Jim retired at the end of 2021 after over 30 years of dedicated service to Kent County. Jim was a member, past president, and past historian of the County Engineers Association of Maryland and received a Meritorious Service Award in 2012. He was also a member of the Chestertown Lions Club for many years and served in various officer roles, including president. Jim is survived by his wife of 46 years, Susan; his daughter, Kristen Owen and her husband, Chris; his daughter, Ashley Wright and her partner, Ron Solloway; his mother, Norma Lee Wright; his brother, Bruce Wright and his wife, Kathy; his sister-in-law, Katrina Newcomb; as well as 4 nephews, 1 niece, and their families; and a large extended family of cherished friends. He was predeceased by his father, James M. Wright, Sr. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making memorial gifts to the charitable cause of your choosing, or to support pancreatic cancer research at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Please make checks payable to Johns Hopkins University and mail them with a memo indicating that the gift is in memory of James M. Wright, Jr., to the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, P.O. Box 49143, Baltimore, MD 21297-9143.

James Marvin Wright Jr.

November 19, 1953 - May 6, 2026