James Wright Obituary

James Laughlin Wright Jr., 79, died Saturday, March 4, 2017 in his home in Colorado Springs from complications of heart failure.

Jim is survived by his son, James Laughlin Wright III, daughter Tina Marie Wright, brother Gene, sister Joyce, lifelong friends Everett and Pat Avery and many other close friends.

Born in Burlington Vermont, as a young boy in the 1940's his family moved to Colorado Springs. The son of James and Leotta Wright fell in love with Colorado where he would live the remaining 70 years of his life. Jim remained close to his four siblings, brother Gene who resides in Texas and sisters Betty, Margaret and Joyce who later found home in Arizona.

In his early years, Jim would work as a carpenter, skills he learned from his father "Jim" and later passed on to his son "Jimmy". After a serious workplace injury in 1965 he evolved into a successful businessman which included bar and restaurant operations as well as real estate investment and development.



He met his wife and best friend, JoAnne Heffler in 1978 and they were inseparable until her passing in 1995. Jim was devoted to their marriage for the remainder of his life and wears his wedding ring to this day. Many will remember them as the owners of "The Robin Hood Inn" more famously known as the place with the upside down "Bar" sign on North Nevada in Colorado Springs historic North End.

After semi-retirement, Mr. Wright volunteered in several capacities including feeding the elderly and maintaining Colorado open spaces. He was most notably known as "Mr. Jim" in America the Beautiful park where he would pick up trash everyday so the "children would have a clean place to play". In honor of his dedication to Colorado Springs open space please, in lieu of flowers, make a memorial donation to the 'Trails and Open Space Coalition' who are dedicated to the preservation of open space in the Pikes Peak region. Their website is https://www.trailsandopenspaces.org

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3:00pm on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church located at 2318 N. Cascade.

Visitation will occur at the church prior to the service at 2:00pm with Rosary at 2:30pm.

Interment service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery immediately following mass.