John Wayne Fairburn

He was born in Staunton, the son of J Wayne Fairburn and Lucille “Sis” Cramer Fairburn. He grew up in Parnassus, enjoyed farm life, became a life-long NY Yankees fan, and graduated from Buffalo Gap High School as a 4 letter athlete in cross country, track, baseball, and basketball. He graduated from Virginia Tech where he obtained a love for golf and Hokies athletics.

He was the first city planner in Radford, VA. He then served in Hanover County as Assistant County Administrator and Acting County Administrator for 10 years. As the County's Director of Economic Development for another decade, he recruited new businesses and the jobs they brought, and secured major road improvements. Recruiting Diamond Energy (Doswell Limited Power) led to natural gas being supplied for the very first time in Hanover County. He also led the relocation of the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s Newspaper and Printing Plant, AMF Bowling & AMF Machinery, Richmond Memorial Regional Medical Center expansion (Bon Secours Hospital) in the county. Since then, he’s been involved in private business enterprises including Decorative Glass Solutions with his wife.

After being a member of the United Methodist Church for 40 years, he became a Messianic Jew and was part of Shalom Israel Community.

He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Diane Nahan Fairburn; his former wife, Sharon Berry Fairburn, and their children, Madison Fairburn and Jackson (Heather) Fairburn; and his former wife Brenda Hunley Combs, and their daughter, Kimberly Fairburn McKee; and two grandchildren, Landon McKee & JW Fairburn. His sister, Cindy Fairburn (Tom) Lundy and their children Thackson (Christy) Lundy, Abigail (Jan) Rybnicek and their combined four children (Ryerson, Bernet, Eliza, and August) survive him.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Biltmore Baptist Church in Glen Allen, VA. Prior to the service, the family will begin informally to greet those attending at 9:30 am. A graveside service will follow at 3 pm at Parnassus Cemetery (42 Clark Lane, Churchville, VA).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Treasurer, Shalom Israel Community, 10049 Lickinghole Rd,

Suite G., Ashland, VA, 23005 or online at: www.shalomisraelcommunity.org