“Mutt” as he was commonly known by all of this friends, grew up on the family dairy farm in Bedias. He loved hunting, fishing, raising hunting dogs with his father and brother Jerry and showing pigs and cattle in the county fair. He was a Boy Scout, 4-H and FFA member.
Wayne graduated from Madisonville High School in May 1961 where he lettered in Basketball and Football. In 1960 at the start of his senior year Wayne received a $250 scholarship from the Texas Department of Agriculture for being the high point individual at the Grimes County Youth Fair. He used those funds to attend the Durham Business College in Houston where he studied I.B.M. wiring and operations. Immediately after graduating, he was offered a position with The Great Southern Life Insurance Company as an I.B.M. Operator. On his graduation day Wayne sent a Thank You Letter to his scholarship donors saying, “I personally feel that your generosity in presenting me this scholarship enabled me to further my education. I sincerely hope you will find it possible to give some other young person this same opportunity. “
Wayne went on to work with his older brother Jimmy in the machining business and shortly thereafter went out on his own to establish Alkote Inc. a metal finishing business in Houston. He always found ways to include his love of hunting and fishing in his business by either entertaining friends and customers at the hunting lease or taking trips to a fishing lodge he jointly founded in Mexico with his good friend. Wayne continued his business skills by opening and operating several women’s exercise establishments throughout South Texas.
Wayne built his retirement home on Lake Mathis just outside of Corpus Christi and quickly became a friend to the many neighborhood residents and became active in the community and local fundraisers. He returned to Montgomery County in 2019 where he lived until his passing.
Wayne was a tough but thoughtful and caring person. He was always the first to step in and offer a hand up to anyone in need. He gave respect to everyone and in return demanded certain things like being punctual and giving 100% effort. He believed in working hard and fast and he never left a task undone.
Wayne is survived by his sister Ann, his two sons Jack and Brian, their wife’s Christi and Heather his three grandchildren Megan, Keith and Caylee, and his two great grandchildren Lucasey and Averleigh. His step daughter Tammy and step grand children Jake, Ashtin, Story, Hailey, Riley and Addyson. Wayne will be greatly missed by his entire family and the many friends he made throughout his 78 years including his dog Bo.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday February 16, 2022, at 10:00am at Cashner Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior to services. Burial will follow in Bedias Baptist Cemetery at 2:00pm in Bedias, Texas.
