James Wynd

James Clarence Wynd
OCTOBER 19, 1918 ~ JANUARY 30, 2019 (AGE 100)

James Clarence Wynd, 100, passed away on January 30, 2019, at Brookdale Lakeview Crossing. He was born on Oct. 19, 1918, in New Paris, Ohio to Rev. John R. and Orpha (Brandenburg) Wynd. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Margaret Evelyn (Hamler) Wynd, brothers Robert and Richard Wynd, sisters Carolyn (Wynd) Sunderman and Marjorie (Wynd) Ward, brother-in-law Harry Sunderman, sisters-in-law Kathryn ‘Kay’ Garvin Wynd and Suzanne Rian Wynd. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Julie and Dana Grooms of Groveport, granddaughters Sarah and Amy Grooms, numerous nieces and nephews, and many special friends.

A 1936 graduate of South High School in Columbus, James worked for the B&T Floor Company before enrolling at Ohio State University in 1939, and earning a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1943. He worked for the Calco Chemical Division of American Cyanamid Corp. in Bound Brook, New Jersey before entering the U.S. Army during World War II. He served as a Technician Third Grade in the Special Engineer Detachment, 9812th Technical Service Unit, Corps of Engineers in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in support of the Manhattan Project. When the war ended he remained in the Army for a few months as a member of the Radiological Safety Section taking part in atomic bomb testing at Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific. James was a research engineer at Battelle Memorial Institute before joining the Ohio Department of Health as an industrial hygiene engineer. He earned a Science Master degree in Public Health Engineering from Harvard University. He rose to the position of Radiological Health Program Director in the Division of Technical Environmental Health Services, Bureau of Environmental Health before retiring in January 1980. James was a former member of the Columbus Maennerchor and Canal Winchester Lions Club.

James most loved spending time with his family and friends. He loved the outdoors, especially when golfing, bowling, fishing, swimming, bicycling, birdwatching, and gardening were involved. He lived to explore, from traipsing around in the woods to traveling to cities near and far. He taught himself magic, programming language, how to handicap thoroughbreds, and knew an infinite number of parlour tricks and jokes. Music was his joy, whether listening to classical, oldies, or the latest hits, singing, or studying the clarinet, saxophone, guitar, or piano. His indoor pursuits included cooking and eating gourmet meals, ballroom dancing, reading, and doing puzzles. He never stopped learning, experimenting, and tinkering.

The family wishes to thank the healthcare and other staff members at Brookdale who cared for James and shared his journey. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to your favorite charity are appreciated. The family will hold a memorial gathering at Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St, Groveport, OH 43125, from 4-7 p.m., on Feb. 23, 2019.