John David Wright

John David Wright, 88, of Winchester died peacefully on Monday, May 30, 2022 at his home. Born March 18, 1934 in Jackson, Mississippi to Alvin and Mary Brown Wright. David was a proud Boy Scout and Eagle Scout and would go on to play saxophone in the LSU Marching Band while he fulfilled his ROTC service to his country. Eventually earning advanced degrees from LSU, George Washington U, and RIT, David’s career began as an electrical engineer. The quintessential engineer, as a father he was the dad who would fix all the local kids’ bikes. With a knack for making complicated ideas easy to understand and the ability to kindle the spark of curiosity in young people, David’s gifts eventually directed him into a long career in teaching. As a professor of electrical engineering and math, he spent time on the faculties of Frederick Community College, Point Park College, and Virginia State University. Teaching remained a lifelong commitment, and after retiring David taught math at Winchester Academy and served as a literacy volunteer. Adept at helping students grow in the classroom, David had a green thumb for plants and flowers and enjoyed spending time in his garden. He loved the natural world and the splendor of the changing seasons and would watch each year for the Forsythia blossoms that heralded the spring and the crisp autumn leaves that signaled the fall. As a lifelong musician and church member, David attended and served in leadership in the Unitarian Universalist congregations in Frederick, MD and in Reston and Winchester, VA. He had a beautiful, clear tenor voice, but was most happy using his gift when singing in harmony with others. He enjoyed many years with the Frederick Chorale and with Voce Chamber Singers. Even as David neared his final days, it was music and the singing with friends and family that perked him up and brought him joy. In addition to his devoted partner, Penny Burnworth, David is survived by son, Paul; son, Chris, and daughter-in-law, Erin; daughter, Leslie, and son-in-law, Patrick; and daughter, Laura; as well as his grandchildren, Zachariah, Max, Hanna, Zoé, and Liam. David is preceded in death by his parents and his three siblings, Alvin Roy, Ethel Dean and Susanna. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Nature Conservancy. You can do that on their website: https://www.nature.org or call, (800) 628-6860

John David Wright

March 18, 1934 - May 30, 2022