Joseph Warren Wynne, Jr.

Former DuPont businessman and icon at Monumental United Methodist Church, J. Warren Wynne, Jr. died Thursday, February 7, 2008, at the Maryview Medical Center. He was 64. A Portsmouth native, he was the son of Joseph W. Wynne, Sr. and Alice Hodges Wynne. Mr. Wynne was a committed Methodist lay leader. Mr. Wynne graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, and received his degree in chemical engineering in 1966 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. During his 35-year career with DuPont, he held positions in manufacturing, sales, product development and management. While at DuPont, he worked and resided in West Virginia, North Carolina, Delaware, Texas, Massachusetts, and California. Wynne pioneered the use of photographic techniques in the manufacturing of printed circuit boards; his process became the industry-wide standard. In 1993, Mr. Wynne became Global Business Manager for the DuPont Photo Products Division with world-wide responsibilities. After his retirement in 1998, Mr. Wynne devoted his talents to mentoring others in the management and leadership skills which had made his career so successful. At Monumental United Methodist Church, Mr. Wynne served on task groups devoted to, among other things, increasing membership with programs to attract youth, broadening involvement with the community, and inspiring volunteerism within the congregation. His accomplishments include assisting in the revival of Old Towne Portsmouth, and spearheading a major renovation of the church's educational building, fellowship hall and conference room. He will be well-remembered for his leadership and preparation of large social events and dinners for both the church and the community at Monumental. In addition to his work and church activities, Mr. Wynne was active in various other community and charity activities. A former Eagle Scout himself, he established several scout and explorer troops in different parts of the country, while working for DuPont. In addition, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation profited from Wynne's lifelong love of the 18th century, manifested through several years of volunteer work. Mr. Wynne is survived by, among others, his first cousins Esta K. Sumner, Nancy K. Robertson, Wilson Hodges, William Wynne, Peggy Barnes, Charlotte Fitzler and E. Donald Wynne, A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday in Monumental United Methodist Church , by Rev. Robert E. Friend, Jr. Burial will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery . The family will receive friends in Loving Funeral Home, Churchland Sunday from 5-6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorial contributions to Monumental United Methodist Church Foundation.