He was born in Goose Creek, TX, on October 23, 1935 to the late Andrew Sullivan and Elva Treadwell Sullivan. Wayne was a 1954 graduate of Pasadena High School where he was a star athlete, lettering in track, baseball and football. Following graduation, he attended Arlington State College on a football scholarship. After college, he continued his love of football by working as a referee. In 1956, he began his career as an operator at Diamond Alkali Chemicals, later becoming a supervisor until his retirement from PolyOne in 1997.
Wayne was a cowboy in every sense of the word and retirement provided him ample time to spend with his first love – horses. Some of his favorite memories were of time spent working cows with good friends and family, locally and in Freer, TX. He also loved working in the barn and going to as many horse shows as possible. In later years, he could be found sitting in the barn, supervising to make sure it was all done right. He was a member of AQHA, APHA, GHQHA, GCQHA, Silver Spur Riders Club, along with many other area horse clubs. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman, making countless trips to the hill country and Matagorda Bay with his family.
Wayne is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, J.E. Cooke and Frank I. Cooke; and sister Novell Baker.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Sandy; sons Jeff Sullivan (Carol) of Anderson, TX, Frankie Sullivan (Bea), of Medina, TX, and step-daughter Becky Rodgers (David) of Cove, TX. Grandchildren include Tyler Sullivan (Bailey), Logan Sullivan (Alex), Rachel Sullivan, Scarlet Stephenson, Ashtyn Stephenson, Claye Ann Sullivan, Luke Rodgers and Kate Rodgers.
Special thanks to Brandie, Vonn and the entire staff at Fresenius Kidney Care Baytown North, SEV Home Care and Faith Community Hospice, for their exceptional care.
A visitation with family will be held on Friday, May 14, 2021, at 9:00 AM at Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX. Services will follow at 10:00 AM in the Navarre Chapel. A graveside service will be held at 12:00 PM at South Park Cemetery, 1310 N. Main St. (Telephone Rd.), Pearland, TX. Serving as Pallbearers: Steve McGinley, Larry Fulton, Jimmy Sylvia, Logan Sullivan, Tyler Sullivan, and Johnny Douglas. Honorary Pallbearers: Johnny Summersill, Charles Dyer, Dink Hutter, Larry Devillier, Bubba Devillier, Leroy Ezer, Bruce Simpson, Joey Presnall, Tom Mulligan, Robin Tolleson, Eddie Dillow, and Wayne Follis.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ralph and Mary Wilson Scholarship Fund, benefitting students of Barbers Hill FFA. Checks can be made out to Barbers Hill Young Farmers, P.O. Box 231 Mont Belvieu, TX 77580.
