WOODFORD - James E. Wright, 84, died Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014, at his home. He was born Feb. 14, 1929, in Bennington, the son of Frederick and Cherry (Burgess) Wright. He received his education in local schools. After finishing high school, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the end of World War II, and then in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He received many awards and medals for bravery and outstanding military service overseas. On Nov. 16, 1951, he married Erma O'Neal in California Settlement, New Brunswick, Canada. After his honorable discharge from the Air Force, he returned to Woodford. He owned several businesses, including co-founding J&J Concrete Steps & Allied Products Corp. He also worked for several years as a truck driver. He moved to Maine, where he owned Jimbo's Truck Stop, along with several race horses, in Turner, Maine. He was a horse enthusiast who enjoyed training and racing horses throughout New England. He later owned and operated Jimbo's Lawn Service until the time of his death. He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed the family camp in Murray Hollow. He also travelled to Alaska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Canada to hunt and fish. Survivors include his children: Steven Wright, Ronald Wright and James Wright, all of Woodford; Robert Wright and Michelle Prouty, both of Bennington; Jeremy Davis and Penny Davis of Pownal; Ryan Davis of North Bennington; and Victoria Coffman of Gray, Maine; 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; several brothers and sisters; a cousin; an uncle; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Erma; a son, Arnold Wright; and a daughter, Louwana Wright. Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014, at the Mahar and Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St., Bennington, with the Rev. Robin Greene officiating. Interment will follow in the Center Shaftsbury Cemetery, where full military honors will be accorded by the Vermont Air National Guard's Honor Guard. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Saturday, Jan. 18, . Memorial contributions may be made to the Dialysis Unit at SVHC, through the Mahar and Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St., Bennington, VT 05201.