Clyde Newkirk Wayne Jr.

He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, formerly Linda Kay High of Gaston, NC and his devoted furry pal Baxter; one aunt, Geraldine Burns Becker of Whiteville, NC; two nephews, Bo Bissett of Taiwan and William Bissett of Charlotte, NC. He was preceded in death by his father, Clyde Newkirk Wayne, Sr. of Whiteville, NC; his mother, Mary Burns Wayne of Whiteville, NC; and a brother, William Wright Wayne of Garner, NC. He also was a "second father" figure to Dominic Pichler of Munich, Germany and Ryan Bliss of Orlando, FL.

Kirk was born on November 5, 1947 in Whiteville, NC. He graduated from Whiteville High School in 1966 and Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC with a BS in Sociology in 1970.

Upon graduation, he went to work with Tobacco Associates in the Raleigh, NC Office as a Field Representative. In 1974, he and Linda were married and he began working directly with the export promotion programs promoting Flue Cured tobacco which would lead to visiting over 50 countries over the span of his career with Tobacco Associates. In 1975, he was promoted to the Washington Office where he was Assistant to the President and later Vice President. In 1979, he was elected President of Tobacco Associates until he retired in March 2017. During his career, he served on numerous Boards and Committees, including the US Agriculture Export Development Council, NC Tobacco Foundation, Tobacco Growers' Information Committee, Tobacco Tax Council, National Tobacco Tax Council and Agriculture Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Tobacco appointed by the US Secretary of Agriculture.

Kirk is remembered by his friends and family as a kind, gentle and selfless person. Often, he paused before he spoke with a well thought out and carefully delivered conviction. He had a sterling sense of humor which endeared him to those who were privileged to be in his presence.

When not traveling for work, he loved being at home with his wife and furry companions, gardening, entertaining, being an accomplished grill master and reading suspense novels.

A visitation of friends and family is scheduled for Wednesday, January 30, 7-9 PM at the Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 West Broad Street, Falls Church, VA. Preceding will be a small reception 5-6:30 PM in his home for family and out of town guests. In the spring, date to be determined, there will be a Memorial Service at the First Baptist Church, Whiteville, NC, his boyhood church where he had a 15 year perfect attendance record. Following there will be a reception for family, high school friends and his colleagues in the tobacco industry to celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Boy and Girls Homes of NC, PO Box 127, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450 or any charity of your choice.