John Oliver “Dubby” Wynne, Virginia Beach, Virginia died peacefully with his family on October 26, 2023. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia on July 6, 1945.

Dubby is survived by the love of his life, Susan Stribling Snodgrass Wynne. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on December 23rd, 2022. He is survived by their two sons; John Oliver Wynne, Jr., and his wife, Katherine Waddell Wynne, and their two children, Julia Morgan Wynne and John Oliver Wynne, III; and Bradford Annan Wynne, and his wife, Catherine Crawford Wynne, and their four daughters, Margaret Annan Wynne, Jane Lakenan Wynne, Sydney Stribling Wynne and Catherine Lee Wynne, all living in Virginia Beach. Dubby was affectionately known as GranDub to his six grandchildren. Their son Lee Stribling Wynne predeceased him on November 20th, 1984 at the age of six from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

For Dubby and Susan, the loss of their son Lee was the most painful experience of their lives. As they mourned, they were determined as a couple to be devoted to the Lord in the hope of being reunited with Lee; be loving and supportive parents for their two surviving sons; and remembering Lee as an integral member of their family. Faith in the Lord and love of their family and friends have driven their lives.

Dubby was predeceased by his parents, Oliver “Dub” Wynne Jr. and Margaret Klasman Wynne Doolin, and two brothers, Bradford Wynne and Jeffrey Thomas Wynne. His brother, David Irwin Wynne, lives with his wife, Agnes Mobley Wynne, in Virginia Beach. Dubby is survived by brothers and sister-in-law Geoffrey Powell Snodgrass (Holly Sharp Snodgrass) of New Orleans, LA; Llewellyn Powell Snodgrass (Catharine Berriman Snodgrass) of Alexandria, VA; and Julia Snodgrass Walker (John Luther Walker III) of Richmond, VA. He leaves seven nephews and one niece: David Irwin Wynne, Jr. (Amanda Sells Wynne) of Tampa, FL; William Klasman Wynne (Christine Michele Wynne) of Greenwood Village, CO; Lt. Col. Walter Palmer Snodgrass USMC (Christine Kellam Snodgrass) of Wilmington, NC; Christopher Powell Snodgrass (Tyler Feagin Snodgrass) of Austin, TX; John Luther Walker IV of Atlanta, GA; Lee Stribling Walker of New York City, NY; Jeffrey Thomas Vail of Kilmarnock, VA; and Catharine Coleman Snodgrass of Alexandria, VA.

Dubby graduated in 1963 from Norfolk Academy where he served as captain of the football, basketball, and tennis teams. Tennis was particularly important to him and he achieved some success in the sport, twice becoming Virginia State Junior champion and developing many close, enduring friendships. At Norfolk Academy, the Headmaster, J.B. Massey, had a profound impact on Dubby, motivating him to be a serious student and remaining a lifelong, supportive mentor. Dubby later served as a Trustee and President of 

the Board of Trustees of the school.

Dubby graduated in 1967 from Princeton University, an institution in which he later served as a Charter Trustee for 14 years, member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board while also acting as National Annual Giving Chair and co-chair of two Leadership campaigns. He graduated from the University of Virginia Law School in 1971, interrupting his term for active duty in the U.S. Army Reserves. Dubby served on the University of Virginia Board of Visitors for eight years, including a term as Rector of the Board, and was former Chairman of the University of Virginia Investment Management Company.

After graduating from law school, Dubby was an attorney at Willcox Savage and then, in 1974, went to work for Frank Batten Sr. at Landmark Communications, Inc, a company which had interests in newspapers, broadcasting, cable programming and digital publishing. He retired as President and Chief Executive Officer in 2001 while continuing to serve on the Board of Directors for many years after retirement. In 1982, Landmark introduced The Weather Channel, the 24-hour cable network in which Dubby was responsible for coordinating Landmark’s launch activities. In 1997, he received the Vanguard Award for Programmers from the National Cable Television Association and the Governor’s Award from the National Academy of Cable Programming for “his leadership and insight in making The Weather Channel the preeminent provider of weather information, and one of the most innovative and popular networks on television.” In 2016, Dubby was named to the Cable Hall of Fame. During his tenure at Landmark, Dubby was a former Director and member of the Executive Committee of the National Cable Television Association and former Chair of the National Satellite Programmers Group. Dubby felt blessed to live in an area he loved and to work with the extraordinary people at Landmark. Frank Batten Sr. was the most influential person in his life, challenging and mentoring him, sharing his values and commitment to service and helping others. Over the years, despite their age difference, Frank became a true friend.

While working and after retiring from Landmark, Dubby continued to devote himself to civic activities. His past service includes former Co-Chairman, Hampton Roads Business Partnership; former Chairman of the Board of the Virginia Business Council; former Chair of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation; former Vice Chairman on the State-appointed Council on Virginia’s Future; former member of the Board of Trustees, Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation; former Vice Chair, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters; former Director and President, Junior Achievement of Tidewater; former Board member, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; former Chair, United Way of South Hampton Roads Capital Campaign; founding member of the Hampton Roads Business Roundtable; member of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council; member of the Governor’s Commission on Higher Education Reform, 

Innovation and Investment and member of the Virginia Higher Education Advisory Council.

In 2006, he received a First Citizen award from the National Governor's Association for Distinguished Service to State Government for his work in creating and then helping to implement the Council on Virginia's Future, which focuses on developing a long-range strategy and performance management system for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

In 2014, Dubby created the Go Virginia Foundation with a group of State business leaders and served as the initial Chair of the State-appointed Go Virginia Board which supervised the administration of State-funded financial incentives for localities to collaborate to create higher paying jobs and strengthen the economies in the nine defined regions of the Commonwealth. He also chaired Reinvent Hampton Roads, an effort led by the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, to complement Go Virginia and strengthen Hampton Roads’ regional economy.

In 2014, he received the Darden Award for Regional Leadership from the CIVIC Leadership Institute. He was awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from Old Dominion University in this same year. In 2020, Dubby was honored as a Living Legend by Virginia Business Magazine.

Dubby will be remembered for his love of his family, his deep and abiding Faith in the Lord, his values, his concern for the well-being of others, his commitment to the State of Virginia and Hampton Roads, his drive to change and improve the quality of life for others, and his loyalty to his friends and family.

Dubby took great pride in his family. When asked what the most important factor was in raising his children, he would say without hesitation, marrying Susan. He felt incredibly fortunate to have Susan as his wife. He would say she had so many strengths that helped him, his sons, their families, and other family members. Susan is always upbeat and positive. She is the most considerate person of others Dubby ever knew. Dubby was incredibly proud of Susan, his sons and their families.

Dubby was a lifelong member of Galilee Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach, where he was married, his sons were baptized and confirmed, and where he served on the Vestry. The funeral of his son Lee was held at Galilee.

A celebration of Dubby’s life will occur on November 3, 2023 at 12:00 pm at Galilee Episcopal Church (3928 Pacific Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451). A reception will follow. Service will be livestreamed at Galileechurch.net or Galilee's YouTube page. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to Norfolk Academy, 1585 Wesleyan Drive, Norfolk, VA 23502; the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, 101 West Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510 or the Go Virginia Foundation, 1101 East Main Street, Ste 1100, Richmond, VA 23219.