James Solomon Wrenn, Jr.

WRENN, James Solomon, Jr., 98, passed away in Richmond,Va., on March 28, 2020. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Virginia Wimer Wrenn; and a brother, Edgar A. Wrenn. He is survived by his children, James Wrenn (Mavis), Penny Keith (Kevin), Mary Binns (Paul); grandchildren, Brian Ward (Natalie), Morgan Stalter (Toby), Michael Binns, Elizabeth Binns Smith (Mike), Jonina Stith Wrenn; step-grandson, Corwin Farmer; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Robert C. Wrenn (Ann).

James grew up in Emporia,Va. and graduated from Greensville County High School in 1938. He attended Randolph-Macon College for two years, then transferred to the University of Southern California and graduated in 1942 with a B.A. degree in Cinema. He earned a M.A. degree in Educational Media from Virginia State College in 1973.

During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He attended Naval Communication School at Harvard, served as communication officer on board the USS Planter, took part in the invasion of southern France in 1944, and served in Okinawa in 1945. After active duty, he served in the Naval Reserve for 25 years, retiring as Lt. Commander. He was a Military Aide-de-Camp to six Virginia governors.

In 1946, he began a 39-year career in film production for the Virginia Department of Education, active in making over 100 films on Virginia history and natural resources. Those films included such classics as “Pony Penning at Chincoteague,” “The Wilderness Road,” “The Dismal Swamp,” “America’s First Thanksgiving”, and “To Secure These Rights,” which won the top film award from the Freedom Foundation in 1977. He retired in 1986.

James was a charter member and officer of the national University Film and Video Association. He was a member of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, founding member of Crestwood Farms Residents Association, and the Richmond Bonsai Society, member of the Bon Air Historical Society, Greensville County Historical Society, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond Astronomical Society, Richmond Stamp Club, Westover & Downing Ruritan Clubs, and Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.