John L. Wright Jr.

Prior to John's passing, it was his hope that the information shared about his life would be inspirational to all who read it. His life gave witness to God's unending love; the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; and the power of the Holy Spirit. He had an unwavering devotion to our Blessed Mary, Mother of God.

John was a well-known Catholic layman, who lived and practiced his faith wherever he was. He gave countless presentations, which he would often open with the line, "I am an experienced sinner with feet of clay.”

John was 87 years old. He was blessed beyond measure to have been born on Christmas Day in 1927 in Birmingham, Alabama. When folks would say to him, "I'll bet you only get one gift,” he would reply, "Those who love me give me two…and they know I expected it!"

John was the eldest son of Margaret Carney Wright and John Leo Wright, Sr., of Birmingham, AL, who preceded him in death. His brothers, James Joseph (Jim) Wright and Lee Carney Wright also preceded him in death. He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Jeanne Stallings Wright - the love of his life - and by five children: Debra Wright Carmack (Hubert), Jacksonville, AL; John Leo Wright, III (Katie), Montevallo, AL; Teresa Roberson Coleman (John), Birmingham, AL; Maureen Wright Spears (Eddie), Montevallo, AL; and Mark Wade Wright (Peggy), Maylene, AL. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, James Lee Roberson (Suzanne), Christie Brooke Wright, Kathryn Blair Wright, Aaron Stallings Wright (Evan), Meghaan Wright Coston (Skylar), Caroline Elizabeth Carmack, Justin Madison Spears, and Sean Wade Wright; and by 11 great-grandchildren, Gavin Lee Wright, Addison West Wright, Asher Stallings Wright, Avery Hayes Wright, Kaden Jacob Dowdey, Annabelle James Roberson, Nola Harper Coston, Alice Stallings Wright, Emme Sloan Coston, Alexander Wright Roberson, and Jaxon Lee Wright. Also surviving John is his brother, William Lyon Wright, Sr., Berwyn, PA, two sisters, Mary Jo Wright Costello (Joseph), Virginia Beach, VA, and Margaret Wright Pesce (Edward), Elkridge, MA, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss him greatly.

John grew up in Norwood, and attended St. Paul’s Catholic

School for nine years before attending St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman, Alabama, where he graduated in 1945. During this time, he served on the school newspaper, The St. Bernard News, which stimulated his interest in journalism. After serving in the Army Air Corps in 1946, he attended St. Bernard Junior College for two years. John earned a B.A. in Political Science and M.A. in Urban Studies from The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

John began his professional career at The Birmingham News in 1949, where he worked in the national advertising department. During this time, he fell in love with Jeanne Stallings of Edgewood. They married on April 15, 1950, and recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

John was employed as an assistant editor and promotion manager of The Catholic Week newspaper for seven years. Following that, he was an account executive with Martin, White and Mickwee advertising agency. He was a member of the Homewood City Council from 1960-62.

In 1964, John embraced a special call to move his family to Selma, Alabama, to work for the Edmundite Southern Mission. The mission was established by the Society of St. Edmund in the 1930s to serve African-American families. During this time, John served as the Assistant Administrator of the former Good Samaritan Hospital, and was a contributing writer for the mission's fundraising magazine. Three days after Bloody Sunday, in 1965, he was honored to interview Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during the march to Selma for the National Catholic News Service. In August 1967, John joined the administrative staff at University Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. He served as Director of Public Relations and News Media Spokesperson for 18 years. He was later appointed as the Director of Development for Donor Research, and held that position until his retirement at the end of 1989. At his death, he was a member of the UAB Retirement Board.

Upon his retirement from UAB, John served as the Assistant to the late Dr. Albert Sloan, President of Miles College, from 1990-91, concentrating on public and community relations for the college. In 1992, he began what would be three years working in public relations for Better Basics, a local nonprofit reading enrichment agency founded by John Glasser to help young students improve reading skills.

John was a professional actor in Birmingham community theatre since 1978. He performed in more than 50 plays and 4 independent films. John was a longtime member of Seasoned Readers, a group of senior performers who entertained for schools, nursing homes, and other community groups. He was considered by his peers to be a gifted writer, editor, storyteller, public speaker and singer.

Along with his wife, Jeanne, John was an active member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. He assisted former pastor Msgr. Herman Cazalas in organizing the original Pastoral Council. He was a member of the first class of the Diocesan Lay Ministry Formation Program for the Dioceses of Birmingham. John served as a Lector, Cantor, coordinator of adult education, and preschool education assistant. He was a member of the Father James E. Coyle Knights of Columbus Council 9862, as a third and fourth degree Knight. He was also an active member of the Sierra Club.

John devoted more than 22 years of his life to researching the murder of Father James Edwin Coyle, and traveled alone to Ireland at the age of 74 to conduct additional research. He was a longtime volunteer and participant for Greater Birmingham Ministries and Alabama Arise, and was a champion advocate for improved MAX Metro Transit for the Greater Birmingham Area.

The Wright Family would like to extend their most sincere gratitude to Ron Parker and all of the excellent caregivers of Southern Care Hospice.

Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood, Alabama on Saturday June 6, at 10 am with a funeral mass following at 11:30 Rev. Msgr. Martin Muller officiating. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery. Ridouts Valley Chapel directing.

In 2014 John was the Founder, President and CEO of the "BE KIND" Club.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you “BE KIND.”

Matthew 25:31-40