Four years ago today, on December 29, 2021, we lost Lloyd Wright. We never published an obituary at the time—grief has its own timeline. But today feels right to share his story, not just the milestones of his career, but the curiosity, wit, and dedication that defined how he moved through the world. He believed in the power of a good story. This is his.
Miss you, Dad.
Lloyd Gilmour Wright died of complications related to COVID–19 on December 29, 2021, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with his wife Deborah Lee at his side.
Born March 31, 1947, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Claude and Brooksey Wright, Lloyd grew up in a household that valued hard work, curiosity, and a good story. At Edison High School, he formed lifelong friendships built on humor, loyalty, and sharp wit. He married Debbie Peters on August 29, 1968.
Lloyd was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1968, serving as editor of the base newspaper at Naval Air Station Willow Grove in North Philadelphia, reporting on the war in Vietnam. These experiences cemented a curiosity and enthusiasm for storytelling that would shape the rest of his life. He returned to Oklahoma and completed his journalism degree from Oklahoma State University.
Lloyd’s journalism career began at Tulsa’s KTUL-TV, where his investigative instinct set him apart. In 1979, KRDO–13 recruited him as News Director in Colorado Springs. By 1984, KKTV–11 brought him on in the same role, a position he held until 1998. He fostered journalistic integrity in his newsrooms and mentored reporters who went on to successful careers of their own.
In 2006, he earned his Master of Arts in International Journalism from Cardiff University in Wales, where his studies—and his casual adoption of the word “mate”—left a lasting mark.
Returning to Tulsa as Press Secretary for Mayor Dewey Bartlett, Lloyd built strong media relationships and saw possibilities others might miss. His invitation to Japan’s Ambassador to the U.S., Ichiro Fujisaki, forged a lasting diplomatic relationship between Tulsa and Japanese leaders.
Eventually, Colorado Springs called him back. He and Debbie loved returning, surrounded by old friends. He moved into commercial real estate, proving once again that reinvention was simply part of who he was.
Lloyd is survived by his wife Debbie, son Peter, daughter-in-law Kira, and grandchildren Sophia and Nicholas. His life was defined by curiosity, dedication, and an unwavering belief in the power of a good story.