Stafford Earl Wright, known as “Joe,” went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on April 5, 2021. He died peacefully at home in Colorado Springs, Colorado with his wife, Sam Sun (Lisa), by his side. He was 76.
Joe was born in Hampton, Virginia to the late Clarice “Mama” Wright and William Harrison Wright on January 16, 1945. He enjoyed cooking and gardening, volunteering for the community, taking care of his family, and being a neighborly presence wherever he lived. He was a 1963 graduate of Phenix High School in Hampton, Virginia and went on to graduate with a B.S. in Education from West Virginia State College, where he was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha and the National Service Fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. He received his Master of Science degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California in 1982.
Joe was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam war and went on to serve 23 years of active duty in the United States Army. Apart from his assignments to stations in Virginia, Colorado, and California, he also served abroad in Korea and Germany before he retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his career he successfully completed the Armor Officer Basic Course, Open Mess Management Course, Military Assistant Advisory Course, Quartermaster Officer Advanced Course, Supply Management Officer Course, Command General Staff College, and Phase I & II of the Division Logistic System Course. For his service he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Services Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Overseas Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation.
In addition to his wife Sam Sun, he is survived by their daughter, Alison Foster (James), his grandchildren, Madeline, Noelle, Harrison, and Veronica, his siblings, Curtis Wright (Queenie), Elva Slade (Charles), and Sandra Simpson (Alfred, Sr.), his “adoptive foster” brother, Garfield McAllister (Florine), and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his treasured daughter, Lisa Wright, his esteemed siblings, Wilma Middleton (Ralph) and Richard Wright, Sr., his beloved mother, Clarice “Mama” Wright, and members of his “adoptive foster” second family, William Jenkins, Flossie McNair, Sarah and Catherine McAllister.
The memorial service will be held (and live-streamed) on Tuesday, April 13 at 11:00 am at Memorial Gardens at 3825 Airport Road in Colorado Springs. For more information go to https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/colorado-springs-co/stafford-wright-10140465. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to reputable military veteran charities, the American Lung Association, and St. Jude’s (Joe’s favorite charity.)
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