Obituary photo of Wayne+Thomas Washburn, Titusville-FL
In Loving Memory of

Wayne Thomas Washburn

1937 - 2015
Obituary photo of Wayne+Thomas Washburn, Titusville-FL
In Loving Memory of

Wayne Thomas Washburn

1937 - 2015
Wayne Thomas Washburn, 77, of Cape Canaveral, FL passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2015 in his home surrounded by his family. Wayne is survived by his wife, Lenora; son, Jeffrey (Nicole) Washburn; daughter, Cheran Williams; brother, William Franklin Washburn; sisters, Brenda (Larry) Williams and Janice Duty; grandchildren, Luke, Elena and Reid Washburn; loyal friends Tom and Barbara Ruland and John Eckert. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Elena, and brother, Morris.
Born in Forest City, North Carolina, Wayne was the first born son of Frank and Elena Washburn. He shared many memories of his early life that included simple pleasures of eating watermelon cooled in a creek on a hot summer day, playing with his dog Rowdy and working for local businesses to help support his family. In his teens, Wayne moved to Matewan, West Virginia where he graduated high school and joined the Air Force. First stationed in Lake Charles, Louisiana, he had many new experiences. He was injured and spent over nine months in the hospital in Denver where one kidney was removed. Wayne served six years in the Air Force and was honorably discharged in August 1962.
Wayne moved to Galax, Virginia with his Air Force buddy C. B. Martin where he learned electrical wiring and even played semi pro baseball for a short time. He worked for several small tire companies in Virginia and Florida. After joining the BFGoodrich Company, Wayne traveled Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia as Regional Manager. He moved to Cape Canaveral Florida in 1984 with his wife Lenora and their children to work with his buddy C.B. at Greer Electric. He later became a successful realtor with Trafford Realty and MJB Investments. He retired from real estate in 2011 because of failing health.
Fatherhood was Wayne’s greatest calling. While living in Orlando, Florida, Wayne and first wife Vicki adopted their son Jeffrey Thomas in 1973. He enjoyed spending time loving and mentoring Jeff throughout his childhood into adulthood. He was a coach for many of Jeff’s youth league sports teams, attended all his games, cheered with him at his successes and supported him when he lost. His daughter, Cheran, remembers Wayne’s patience and love when teaching her how to ride a bicycle, drive a car and make his special cornbread. As a doting grandfather, Wayne cared for his oldest grandson Luke when his granddaughter Elena (Ellie) was born and was on hand when his grandson Reid joined the world. He loved spending time with his daughter-in-law Nicole, enjoying her quick wit and amazing love and devotion to his grandchildren.
Wayne and Lenora met in Roanoke, Virginia, by the pool at their apartment complex. He was her best friend, most ardent supporter and loving companion for almost 30 years.
Family was all-important to Wayne. He called his mother Elena every morning at 8:15 and helped cared for her during her final illness. Many people noted what a loving family Frank and Elena had. At any reunion or gathering, there is laughter, singing and fellowship among his siblings and their children, grandchildren and friends. Wayne enjoyed being a part of these celebrations and telling stories from his life. His brothers and sisters traveled many hours to be by his side in his last hours.
Wayne was a loyal friend to many but had an especially close relationship with Tom Ruland. Lunches, dinners, trips to Las Vegas, airplane rides and car trips were only a few of their shared times. John Eckert was a true friend to Wayne enjoying a shared interest in NASCAR Racing. C.B. Martin was a great friend for many years and Wayne cherished his relationship with C.B. until his passing.
At Wayne’s request, his ashes will be scattered in his childhood home in Bostic, North Carolina. He wanted his friends and family to celebrate his life with laughter and song. Arrangements are being finalized. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor should be sent to the Disabled Americans Veterans organization, 400 South Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island, FL, 32952.
Wayne will never be forgotten because of his kind and loving heart, his ability to captivate his audience through storytelling and the love and devotion he had for his family and close friends. He will be missed.

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