Wynne Thomaston Huff, II

Wynne Thomaston Huff II passed away from multiple myeloma cancer on Tuesday, April 1. He was 77 years old and he died as he lived, on his own terms. 

Born in Rome, Georgia on May 23, 1947, Wynne was the eldest son of Robert Wheeler Huff Sr. and Egie Huff. Wynne attended Darlington School, the University of Virginia, and Georgia Tech, and was a brother in the Chi Psi fraternity. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army before dedicating over 25 years as the Chief Building Inspector for the City of Smyrna. 

A true Renaissance man, Wynne mastered numerous skills—from building exquisite oak furniture and capturing candid photographs to rebuilding car engines. His craftsmanship in woodworking resulted in unique furniture pieces still cherished nationwide. His curiosity and eagerness to learn and explore led to his life-long pursuit of intellectual, artistic, and athletic adventures. An avid tennis player, he and his doubles partner won many local citywide tournaments. And he truly enjoyed the wind in his hair as he sped down a good stretch of road behind the wheel of a BMW, both here and abroad. With his many talents and gifts, he could have easily been an architect, a veterinarian, a mechanic, a doctor, or even a race car driver (BMWs of course). 

A charming, amicable, polite, Southern gentleman with a flirtatious flair, Wynne made friends easily and was the type of friend who inspired others to drive great distances just to check on him and share a meal. An original 'pet whisperer,' he had a special bond with animals, particularly cats, who, like everyone else, were drawn to his gentle and reassuring spirit. 

Wynne also had an acute awareness of the wonders of nature and was an environmentalist with a progressive consciousness, a longstanding member of The Sierra Club. 

Wynne was forthright in his opinions, with little patience for pretense or poor journalism. He lived authentically, eschewing organized religion and wastefulness, among other things. He did not suffer fools lightly. 

Wynne was a determined man and fought his illness for almost two years with a strength, bravery, and grace that we can only hope for ourselves. It is admirable that in the face of cancer and declining strength, he continued to strive for independence and never once complained. 

Wynne was a loving and generous son, brother, father, grandfather, husband, and stepfather. He was predeceased by his mother, Egie Huff, his father, Robert Wheeler Huff Sr., and his sister, Margaret Penelope (Penny) Huff. He leaves to cherish his memories a brother, Robert Wheeler Huff Jr. and his wife, Janice Huff of Rome, a sister, Frances Courtenay Huff and her husband, Perry Rothenfeld of Stillwater, NY, a son, Wynne Thomaston Huff III and his wife, Renee Huff of Smyrna, three grandchildren, Ashleigh Huff, Aiden Huff, and Ava Huff, his wife, Judy Bost of Smyrna, two step-children, Brian Bost and Kelly Priel, both of Atlanta, and numerous cousins. 

His quiet charm, occasional impertinence, wisdom, incredible intellect, and undying love and caring for others will forever be remembered. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to one of his favorite charities: Autism Speaks, Sierra Club, or The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.