As the owner of an Oldsmobile dealership for nearly 40 years, John “Jack” Wright was known for his commitment to customer service and for helping launch the careers of at least a half-dozen colleagues.
“He’d give a customer the keys to his own car if they needed one when theirs was being serviced,” said Mark Triffler, a former Oldsmobile dealer and friend since childhood.
Triffler said admired Mr. Wright’s desire to provide excellent customer service.
“He didn’t want only to sell them a car, he wanted them to be happy with it,” Triffler said. “His motto was, the customer is always right even when they’re wrong.”
Mr. Wright, 63, died of cardiovascular disease Sunday, Dec. 4, in his Lansing home. He was the third generation owner of JJ Wright Oldsmobile GMC, which operated in Lansing until he sold the business in 1997.
He liked working with customers but also derived satisfaction from seeing others get their foot in the door of the industry, said his son Lawrence. He offered advice and introductions to help others get highly sought-after car dealerships.
“There are a limited number of dealerships within a marketplace. If something came up, he’d get the right people [for a prospective dealer] to speak with,” said his son.
His assistance came without expectation of a return.
Mr. Wright was born in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood in 1942. He attended Brother Rice High School, graduating in 1960. He attended the University of Miami for two years and was also a longtime member of Christ the King Catholic Parish in Chicago.
Divorced from his first wife, Mary Ellen Kean Wright, with whom he had three children, Mr. Wright married Donna Brum Wright in 2000.
Mr. Wright also enjoyed boating and doing yard work. In addition, he was a member of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association and a past president of the Chicagoland Oldsmobile Dealers Association. Most recently, he was employed by Harbor Honda in Merrillville, Ind.
Lawrence Wright said his father had 10 plaques on his wall marking the number of consecutive times he was named to Oldsmobile Elite, which recognized the company’s top 100 dealers nationwide.
Mr. Wright also is survived by his wife; another son, John A.; two stepdaughters, Debbie Kudlo and Sheryl Golab; three sisters, Mary Jane Szafranski, Claire Smith and Colleen Wright; two grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Rd., Lansing. A funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in St. Ann Catholic Church, 3010 Ridge Rd., Lansing.
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amannion@tribune.com
