Wayne Arthur Middleton

Wayne was born on August 6, 1945, in Youngstown, Ohio to John L.S. and Kathryn Middleton and big sister Kay. Shortly after Wayne was born, the family moved to the Chicago suburbs where he grew up. Wayne graduated from Hinsdale High School in 1963 and then attended the University of Illinois.

In 1966, the Middleton Family moved to Lakeland, Florida. Wayne graduated from the University of South Florida and received his BA Business Administration along with his MBA with concentration in Finance. While living in Lakeland, Wayne met his future beloved wife, Jeanne Lippert. Wayne helped his father build an impressive O-Scale model railroad in their home.

In 1969, Wayne joined the United States Army and served as a Budget Officer and Deputy Finance and Accounting Officer in Washington, D.C. Wayne and Jeanne were married in 1970 and enjoyed married life as newlyweds in Washington, D.C. The Meritorious Service Medal was presented to 1LT Wayne A. Middleton, MSC on his promotion to Captain. After Honorable discharge in 1973, Wayne and Jeanne, along with baby daughter Kathryn Elizabeth, moved to Jacksonville, Florida. Wayne continued his service in the U.S. Army Reserves after moving to Jacksonville.

After moving to Jacksonville, Wayne began working in public accounting at Touché Ross in 1973 and passed the CPA exam on the first time. During this time, his son Robert Arthur and youngest daughter Laura Kay were born. Wayne worked at Touché Ross for 12 years before going to work in accounting and finance in the private sector for some of his top clients as Controller, V.P. of Finance, Secretary/Treasurer and General Manager.

In 1998, he fulfilled his lifetime dream to work for the railroad when he accepted a position to work with CSX Transportation. Wayne retired from the railroad in 2013.

Wayne was a member of several community and professional organizations including Financial Executives Institute, American Institute of Certified Accountants, Florida Institute of Certified Accountants, Arlington Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville Quarterback Club, Train Collectors of America and Navy League of the United States Jacksonville Council. He was a longtime member and Past President of the Arlington Rotary Club.

Wayne had many great passions and hobbies including model railroading, traveling by rail across the country with his family to visit historic railroad sites and going to Chicago Cubs games, NASCAR races and Washington Redskins games.

Wayne is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years Jeanne; his sister Kay Middleton; his eldest daughter Kathryn; his son Rob; his youngest daughter Laura and son-in-law Mike Irvin.

Wayne is predeceased by his parents, John L.S. and Kathryn Middleton.

Services will be held at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32218 on Friday, June 9, 2023, at 11:30am. A Celebration of Life will also be held later this summer.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations please be made to Feeding Northeast Florida www.feedingnefl.org or the Illinois Railroad Museum www.irm.org in Wayne’s name. Please also consider donating a pint of blood at your local blood bank in memory of Wayne.