John L. Wells Jr.

John L Wells, Jr, age 80, beloved father, husband, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away Saturday May 6, 2023. He was a proud marine, patriot, pilot, innovator, race car driver and engineer. He was born December 28, 1942 in Los Angeles, CA. His parents moved back to their home state of Colorado, and he grew up in Canon City, CO. He went into the Marines at age 18 jumping off at Camp Pendleton, and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan; Guantanamo, Cuba; and Vietnam. His military experience shaped him forever, giving him a deep love of his country and a love of travel. After his military service, he learned to fly and started a company flying cargo and parachuters. He was also a flight instructor and enjoyed teaching people to love flying as much as he did. He was a natural mechanical engineer and liked to go fast which led to his calling as the designer and fabricator of the Wells Coyote race cars. His cars changed the face of hill climb racing in Colorado to include the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb which gained him global recognition for not only his innovative racing design, but his skill as a driver.

John was an avid outdoorsman and made his home outside of Green Mountain Falls, CO where he could often be found looking for deer, watching birds, and communing with nature. Often a controversial figure, he told it like it was and enjoyed the occasional verbal sparring match regardless of topics ranging from politics to religion and current affairs. He was a student of history and was able to relate current events with historical facts with the flair of an accomplished storyteller. He lived more in one life than most. He touched and influenced the lives of so many people and whether you loved him or not, he made a long-lasting impression. We will miss his wicked sense of humor, his quick wit, and his zest for life. Semper Fi, Devil Dog.

John is survived by wife, Trudy Wells; daughter, Amber Logan (Jody); daughter, Aspen O’Dell (Paul); adopted son, Todd Rieck; grandsons, Sean Haley, Jordan Burris, Orion Logan, and Illoryn O’Dell; 5 great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Joyland Church in Green Mountain Falls, CO.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the John Wells Memorial Fund, PO Box 255, Green Mountain Falls, CO 80819.

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