Colonel Hubert "Buddy" Earl Wrenn

“Buddy” was a kind and caring man. One of the last true gentlemen. He always thanked those who helped him and wanted to make sure all around him knew they were appreciated. You always felt loved after spending an afternoon talking or playing cards with him. Buddy passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Lake Manassas Health and Rehabilitation Center in Gainesville on February 16, 2025 at the age of 89. He was born June 15, 1935 to Mary Virginia Jackson Wrenn and Ralph Hubert Wrenn, both deceased. Growing up, he delighted in tormenting his big sister, Myrtice Clark (deceased), with his best friend Jack Gilley(deceased). Famously ruining her baking cakes by jumping up and down in the kitchen until they fell. That was the beginning of years of sibling fun. Buddy grew up in Danville, Virginia and attended Averett College where he met the love of his life, Janet Lieske (deceased). They soon married in Roselle, New Jersey and had two daughters, Lori Lee Brickley (deceased) and Cynthia Lynn Wrenn. Because of his great love and pride in being an American, Buddy enlisted in the Air Force in 1955. He was noticed by an officer searching for bright soldiers to join the growing field of blood banking and lab work which led to more school and him being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Biomedical Services Corps. His assignments included time at Lackland Air Force Base and in Bitburg, Germany. As a lab technician, he was part of the group that completed physicals on the Apollo Astronauts and he also worked with the doctors who conducted one of the first successful full body, blood transfusions. Additionally, he published articles about his work. Due to his expertise and impeccable work ethic, Buddy was eventually assigned to the Pentagon Chief Policy and Programs Division in the Office of the Surgeon General and then went on to become a Senior Inspector of Biomedical Services. He retired a full Colonel at Bowling AFB, surrounded by family, including his mother, Virginia. For more on Buddy’s military career follow the following link to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project: https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.106285/#item-service_history. His granddaughter, Meg Price conducted the interview. Besides his family and career, Bud’s great passions included model airplane building and flying, fishing, traveling and visiting casinos, especially with Janet. He thoroughly enjoyed playing cards, especially Hand and Foot, with us all. He was a dedicated member of the Woodbridge Rotary Club, once serving as their President. Buddy is preceded in death by his parents, Virginia Jackson Wrenn and Ralph H. Wrenn, his sister, Myrtice Clark, his wife, Janet Lieske Wrenn and his youngest daughter, Lori Lee Brickley. He is survived by his daughter Cynthia Lynn Wrenn, his half-sisters Beth Wrenn Underwood, Brock Wrenn Lending and his half-brother Carl Wrenn. He will also be dearly missed by his grandchildren Kay Wrenn Swecker, Justin Brickley, Margaret Price, and his wider family including Terri Schulkan and Dave Brickley, Jr. and their children. He has two surviving great-granddaughters Julia and Livia Price who always delighted him. He will also be remembered joyfully by his many beloved cousins, nephews, nieces and friends. He will be greatly missed but the love he shared will continue to live on in our memories forever. Buddy would also wish us to thank the many kind people he worked with and who cared for him at the Lake Manassas Health and Rehabilitation Center. Services for Hubert Wrenn will be held in Danville, VA in early spring on a date to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the USO, as he did each year. https://secure.uso.org/OM_BRD/?sc=WB24SRCH09&utm_medium=gs_ad&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=search0424&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD20_EIXQ-qcsT3Bz6xhfLUavpQlZ

Colonel Hubert "Buddy" Earl Wrenn

June 15, 1935 - February 16, 2025