Gerald "Jerry" L. Wright

Gerald L. Wright, aka “JUDGE JERRY” or “COACH JERRY”, age 68, of Hayward, Wisconsin passed away Thursday, August 22, 2024 at St. Mary’s Hospital, in Duluth, Minnesota.

Jerry was raised on a family farm in West Bend, Iowa. After high school he attended Luther College, Decorah, Iowa where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and met his future wife, Laurie. He went on to earn a law degree at the University of Madison, graduating cum laude in 1990. During his time in Madison Jerry was an editor for the Wisconsin Law Journal and worked part time for Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation as a technical writer. He also worked as law clerk for Madison’s City Of Attorneys office, Wisconsin Department of Justice and at the Center for Public Representation.

After graduating he established a private law practice in La Crosse. In 1996 he moved to the bicycle-ski mecca of the Hayward-Cable area to continue private practice. In 2001 he accepted a position at the State Public Defender’s office to provide criminal defense services. The culmination of Jerry’s career was becoming judge of Sawyer County in 2009. He retired after serving one term in 2015. He was a founding member of the Sawyer County Drug Court and was involved in the Sawyer County Traffic Offender program which required repeat drunk drivers to undergo monitored treatment.

Jerry was an avid bicyclist, cross country skier and sailor. He was a full-fledged member of the Chequema Mama’s and Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA) which became very dear to his heart. He loved volunteering for CAMBA events and especially liked to map the race courses and groom the trails. He was a member of The National Mountain Bike Patrol providing trail side assistance during bike races. He enjoyed his weekly gravel rides in Cable, riding with the Shredders, New Moon road rides and fat tire riding in winter. He was a volunteer coach for the Hayward Mountain Bike team for a number of years. Jerry thought the bicycle wheel was the greatest invention of mankind! He became a master wheel builder and bike mechanic throughout the years.

Jerry completed the Birkie 50K classical cross country ski races for ten years. He loved crewing on the Eire Nua sailboat with his buddies on Lake Superior and going to the yacht club afterwards. Jerry was a volunteer for Sawyer County search and rescue. He also trained for Wilderness search and rescue. He helped to devise the number signage system using the National Grid on the Chequamegon bike trails which is used on mobile devices when reporting incidents. He was also a member of the Hayward Oddfellows Lodge.

Jerry was the kind of person who would clear the path for others to travel. Whether it was his unwavering commitment in maintaining trails for fellow bikers or the small gesture of shoveling snow so his beloved neighbor cat Oscar could visit. Jerry’s zest for life was evident in everything he did. His good humor and exuberance will be greatly missed.

Jerry is survived by his wife: Laurie Johnson, mother: Margaret Wright of Fort Dodge, Iowa; brothers: Alan (Carrie) Wright of Fort Dodge, Iowa and Kevin (Jeanette) Wright of Stafford, Virginia. He will be missed by many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father: Kenneth Wright. 

A private family funeral will be held September 14, 2024 in Bloomer, Wisconsin. The family and CAMBA is planning a Celebration of Life party on October 12, 2024, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at The Steakhouse in Hayward. Memorials can be directed to CAMBA or Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Olson Funeral Home in Bloomer, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.