Wayne was born on March 9, 1926 in Eros, Louisiana, the first-born of Ethel and Matthew Fluitt. He served in the US Navy in the Pacific Theater during the latter stages of World War II working as a pharmacy technician on a light cruiser. After the war, he met and soon married his wife of 58 years, Lorraine Evans. Together they moved to Baton Rouge where he earned a degree in chemistry at Louisiana State University with the intention of going to medical school. He was admitted to LSU med school after several attempts only to forfeit this opportunity, choosing family over career when he and Lorraine learned that they were to become parents.
After some false starts of working in retail and car sales, Wayne was hired by Proctor and Gamble to be a travelling salesman in their Food Division. This job, which Wayne attacked with characteristic hard work and zeal, quickly became a passionate vocation. The young family moved Mississippi, where they raised two sons and a daughter. Busy, happy years ensued. With retirement they were able to wend their way home to Baton Rouge where Wayne could enjoy his beloved LSU Tiger sports in between cross-country trips in their Airstream trailer.
Wayne then bravely faced one of the most difficult challenges of his life: caring for Lorraine through her 3-year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. After her death in 2006, Wayne found great solace in his home parish, St. George, and formed deep and loving friendships that allowed him to move beyond grief and live joyfully for fifteen additional years after the loss of his wife. He moved to Christwood Retirement Community in Covington in 2012. Although his slow decline in health severely limited his travel and mobility during these years, he maintained his cheerful outlook and charmed those who came into contact with him.
Wayne was also preceded in death by his siblings Melba Butler and Royce Fluitt. Wayne is survived by his youngest sister Nelda Fay Mengis; his sons Marc and David and his daughter Jan; their spouses, Carolyn, Kelly, and Eddie, respectively; and most especially his dear friend Diana Moreno. His seven grandchildren—Eric, Nicholas, Hannah, Madison, Benjamin, Madeleine, and John—and eight great-grandchildren—Miles, Lane, Andrew, Bennett, Kate, Sloane, Aidan, and Rylan—will greatly miss his loving presence and gentle spirit.
The family owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to the excellent nursing staff at Christwood Skilled Nursing Unit. Their tender care made Wayne’s last days and months bright indeed.
A private family-only funeral mass will be said at 11 am Thursday September 23rd at St. George Catholic Church, 7898 St. George Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Joseph Abbey in St. Benedict LA. saintjosephabbey.com/donate
