John David (J.D.) Wright, 86, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, November 8, 2021 in Pueblo, Colorado. He was born on August 31, 1935 in Colorado Springs to John Sidney and Lillie (Codding) Wright.

J.D. was raised along the Arkansas River in Vineland, Colorado where he had numerous adventures with his younger brothers, Donald Frances and Lawrence Sidney. When the boys weren't in school or helping with the family businesses they were up to mischief building tamarisk forts on the river bottom (which ended in a huge fire), throwing dummies from trees onto the highway, gambling their lunch money in a local slot machine, or locking themselves and their dog, Buster, in the cellar for a bath Buster did not want.  

In 1951 the family relocated to a farm and ranch north of Fowler in the same country his grandmother, Lela Wright, homesteaded. J.D. attended Fowler High School where he graduated in 1953 before going back to the Pueblo area where he worked in the trucking industry. In 1958 J.D. was drafted into the United States Army and served in Korea following the Korean War. He attained the rank of Specialist Fourth Class before he was honorably discharged at Fort Ord, California in 1960.

Shortly after he returned home to the family farm and ranch J.D. took notice of a beautiful neighbor girl who had grown up while he was gone. He and Joyce Elaine Watson began dating, fell in love, and married in 1962. With Joyce by his side J.D. farmed, ranched, sold seed and fertilizer, ran a mechanic shop, and raised two daughters, Margaret Elaine and Traci Lynn. 

J.D. was dedicated to his family and businesses but he also had a passion for his community. He served on numerous boards and in organizations including the Olney-Boone Conservation district where he worked tirelessly to preserve the prairie lands he loved. For over 50 years J.D. was a member of Fowler Christian Church where he served as a deacon and an elder, as well as taught an adult Sunday School class he started around the church's kitchen table with his friends Jake Norton and Clark Stover. He had a deep and solid faith in God which he shared with everyone around him. 

J.D. loved reading and researching, giving him the ability to be an expert on many subjects. He was truly the go-to guy for his family, friends, and neighbors. If you had a question about God, religion, mechanics, cattle, farming, water systems, history, or politics J.D. would know the answer or find out. 

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Joyce Wright of the family home; his daughters, Elaine (Larry) White of Olney Springs; Traci (David) Kinnischtzke of Fountain; grandchildren, Shadoe (Mahrisa) White, Shaylin White, Caleb White, Abigail (Chris) Jones, Emily Kinnischtzke, Joshua Kinnischtzke, Lindsey Kinnischtzke; great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Haven and Kaden White; brother, Lawrence (Shirley) Wright; sister-in-law, Nancy Wright; numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sid and Lillie Wright; brother, Donald Wright; and infant grandson, Jake David Kinnischtzke.

As per J.D.'s request the family held a private burial at Highland Cemetery north of Boone officiated by his dear friend, Vernon Dillon. Ford Ustick Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.fordustick.com. J.D.'s family would love to have stories, memories, and pictures of J.D. shared for everyone to enjoy on his Facebook page or emailed to m.elaine.white@gmail.com.

Because conservation of agricultural resources was J.D.'s passion the family suggests, with gratitude, memorials be made to Olney-Boone Conservation District, J.D. Wright Scholarship Foundation, 200 S. 10th Street, Rocky Ford, CO 81067