John Wendt Obituary

Wendt
John Wendt
August 24, 1947
April 22, 2025

On April 22, 2025 my dear sweet husband went home to Jesus. We shared 54 years of marriage filled with memories and the raising of our two sons Matt and Peter.
John was born August 24, 1947, to Jack and Ricky Wendt of Colorado Springs. He enjoyed a great childhood growing up in the 50's making lifelong friends, among them David B., whom he met in elementary school. They continued to stay in touch throughout his life. John loved his family, his Mom's homemade peach pie, Sonic coke with extra, extra, extra ice, sausage pizza from Giuseppe's, the New York Yankees and BBQ's in our back yard. He always made a big pot of his homemade beans. Mmm mm were they good. He loved to grill burgers, brats and chicken. A proud graduate of Wasson high school in 1965, John briefly attended Western State College in Gunnison before enlisting in the UNITED STATES MARINE CORP. He completed boot camp in San Diego in 1966 and was later deployed to Vietnam. On December 4, 1967 John was severely wounded, shot in the head and his right hand. He was flown to Guam, then to Fitzsimmons VA hospital in Denver. John began a long journey of recovery, with incredible determination and perseverance he learned to talk and walk again. In December 1969 he met Jill (Hagopian.) He was 22, she was 18. On their first date in his yellow VW at the drive in theater, he said "I'm going to marry you." From that day forward we were inseparable for 56 years. John graduated from Colorado College, and worked as an Illustrator in the Graphics Dept at the USAFA. Our sons Matt, and Peter were involved in many activities...tee ball, BMX racing, Tae Kwon Do, baseball, football and hockey. John loved to watch our boys in sports! Even though John was paralyzed on his right side he showed our boys that nothing is impossible. John could do anything a person with two hands could do, and he did it well. John was a gifted self taught artist. His pen and ink drawings line the walls in our families homes. Our family continued to grow with Matt and Naomi, and Peter and Marlene. We have 4 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. In 2008 We moved to AZ, where John played golf with his friends. He and his buddies would wear the old fashioned knickers. In his later years John liked to sit on our patio with the sun on his face and enjoy our yard with the flowers in bloom. He loved our two dogs and always gave them the last bite of his food. John touched everyone he met with his strength, creativity and humor. I miss you JT. YOU always were my hero, my knight in shining armor. Thank you for asking me to be your wife. As you always said, we were two peas in a pod. John is survived by Jill, his sons Matt (Naomi) and Peter (Marlene), sisters Tricia Marshall and Suzzan (Brian) Stark, many nieces, nephews, in laws, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Ricky Wendt and brothers Bill and Richard. A ceremony to honor John's life will be held August 27, 2025 at 11:00am at the Pikes Peak National cemetery in Colorado Springs. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Vietnam Veterans, Tunnels to Towers Foundation and Westside German Shepherd Rescue