Wendell Wayne Mabry

than a month away from his 87th birthday. After several months of declining health, Wayne died

peacefully with his beloved wife Margaret and their children by his side.

Wayne was born in Roswell, NM on March 9, 1935, to father Wendell and mother Ruby Mabry.

He was one of six children. His desire to see other parts of the world, led him and his close

buddy to enlist in the Navy at age 19. He arrived in San Diego for boot camp at the Naval

Training Center in the summer of 1954. Following boot camp, he was assigned to the USS

Lofberg and always spoke fondly of his years spent on tours to the Philippines, Korea and

patrolling the Formosa Straits.

Near the end of his four year enlistment in 1958, Wayne’s ship returned from tour to San Diego.

His buddy introduced him to Margaret Mohan in January and they were married a short four

months later on April 12, 1958. In 2021, they celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary.

After discharge from the Navy, they returned to Roswell, but soon realized he missed San Diego

and they returned prior to the birth of their first child. Eventually, Wayne went to work at Solar

Turbines, a company he loved and spoke highly of all his life. In spite of many layoffs and

cutbacks over the years, he always returned to Solar where he proudly retired after 30 years of

service on April 30, 1996. All three of his kids and one of his grandsons went on to also work at

Solar, a side note he was always happy to tell.

He enjoyed spending time with his family; coaching his son's baseball teams, attending dance

recitals (with a smile), golf, Solar bowling leagues, lunch with other retired Solar buddies, all of

the sporting events played by his three grandchildren and traveling with his wife to many

destinations. They saw a lot together, Portugal, France, England, Ireland, a ten day cruise to

Hawaii, as well as numerous driving vacations; one taking them to the East Coast and back.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and by his sisters Helen Dennis, Barbara

Chenowith and Patricia York. He is survived by his wife Margaret Mabry; children Kenneth

Mabry, Linda Coppa and Michael Mabry; grandchildren Michael Coppa, Jimmy Coppa, Brooke

Test (Zack Test); great-granddaughter Naomi Marie Test, sister Evelyn Laundry and brother

Robert Mabry, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends of his kids he considered his

own.

A service will be held for Wayne, Wednesday, March 9, 2022 beginning promptly at 3 pm at the

Miramar National Cemetery San Diego, 5795 Nobel Dr, San Diego, CA 92122. All are invited to

attend. There will be a reception following the service at the home of Linda Coppa. Please

contact her directly for the address.