James Bruce Wright

Funeral services for James Bruce Wright, 62, of Two Rivers, AK, were held on Monday, September 9, 2024, at Johnson Funeral Chapel in Sperry, OK. Pastor Ken Swearingen officiated, and burial was in Rest Haven Cemetery in Sperry, OK, alongside pre-deceased family members who loved him so. Casket bearers were Tommy Hudson, Charlie Whitten, Ralph Jackson, and Darin Swearingen. Honorary Casket bearers were Blake Wright, North Wright, James Shipman, Ryan Brown, Justin Bellavie, Clint Botard and Mel Botard.

Bruce was born March 29, 1962, in Tulsa, OK, to Jimmy Carroll Wright and Jeanie Whitten Wright. He passed away August 28, 2024, in Two Rivers, AK.

His early childhood was spent in Collinsville, OK. A year after Jimmy’s untimely death in July 1968, his mother married Ross Brown in Escondido, CA. Bruce spent the remainder of his childhood in Escondido, where he attended Conway Elementary School, Light and Life Christian School, Grant Junior High School, and Escondido High School.

Bruce finished his formal education at Tulsa Jobs Corps where he met and married Kathy Quimby. He had always wanted to be a father and was delighted to embrace that role first as stepfather to Heather (Quimby) Brown, and soon after to Cassie and Ashley Wright. Bruce’s children were the lights of his life.

Bruce had a myriad of gifts and talents. He had a curious mind and applied his broad interests in a variety of careers. These were as many and varied as: an oil driller, plumber, electrician, general contractor, property manager, gold panning, and artistic ability from oil paintings to woodworking. He enjoyed working with his hands and had a talent for figuring out complex architectural situations.

Bruce was always captivated by the stories of the Alaskan wilderness and loved his life there, living first in Fairbanks and then in Two Rivers. There he enjoyed building and remodeling homes, working as an electrician, and providing maintenance and groundskeeping at Twin Bears Camp. He met his wife, Mariska, and together they owned The What Not Shop. 

Bruce loved people, loved to laugh, and was a very caring and generous person. He would often give away items to someone in need, even though he needed them too. Bruce spent countless hours volunteering in and around the Two Rivers community. He coached a local football team, donated labor to the Twin Bears campground, the Nazarene church, and helped provide and distribute food at the community center. Because of their love of children and animals, he and Mariska voluntarily organized a petting zoo for the annual county fair, which included their two llamas. Even as his health deteriorated, Bruce continued to put the needs of his community and loved ones ahead of his own. His kind heart and cheerful disposition never failed. 

Family was always Bruce’s priority. Bruce loved his wife, children, and grandchildren intensely and spoke of them often. This was evidenced, especially, in the sheer joy he found in spending time with them. He was so proud of them all and took great pleasure most recently in caring for his great grandson, taking and picking him up from school, helping with homework, teaching him new things, and just being together, having a good time. Bruce will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Mariska Wright; daughters, Heather Brown, Cassie Wright, and Ashley Wright; grandchildren, Javon, Marley, Kiara, and Ren; great-grandson, Mateo; his mother, Jeanie (Whitten) Wright Brown; sister, Cindi Wright; brother, Blake (Mary) Wright; nephews, James (Yoanna) Shipman, Zachary Shipman, North Wright; and nieces, Zoe and Ellery Wright.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jimmy Wright; stepfather, Ross Brown; and stepbrother, Michael Brown.

Arrangements and services were entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home, Sperry.

Online condolences to the family can be made at johnsonsperry.com.