May 14, 1932 - Mar. 10, 2016
Wayne was born in Fallon, the fourth of Ray and Margie’s five sons. He graduated from CCHS in 1950, where he played football and baseball. Later that same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Darlene Keener. The next year, he joined the Air Force, serving with SAC during the Korean conflict. He and Darlene were divorced in 1953, each going their own separate way for the next four decades. In 1960, Wayne married Pauline Williams Tafoya, becoming stepfather to Pat and Elva, and continuing to live in Fallon for the next 33 years. He had worked briefly with Dodge Construction and Soil Conservation Service before starting work at the Fallon post office. Wayne retired as Assistant Postmaster in 1987, after 33 years of public service. Wayne truly loved the outdoors and owned one of the first Wagoneers and earliest Winnebagos. Many miles were travelled fishing, hunting, and camping all over central Nevada. The arrival of
Elva’s two daughters, Rochanne and Yvonne (Cappucci), created incentive for even more trips to the waters or the mountains. Following Pauline’s death after a prolonged illness, Darlene (Dee) re-entered Wayne’s life. After 40 years apart, they re-married in 1994 and Wayne left Fallon to spend the next 20 years in Sparks. They returned to Fallon in 2014. Wayne is survived by his wife of three + twenty years Dee, her two daughters Cheryl (Greg) and Andrea (Phil) and five grandchildren; by stepchildren Pat Tafoya and Elva Wells (Ed) and granddaughters Rochanne (Scott) and Yvonne (Lawrence) and four great grandchildren; by brother Bub (Patsy) and nephew Keith and nieces Connie (Kelly) and Lynne (Ted) and their six children; by nephew Paul (Patti), and daughter and niece Kay (Skip) and two sons; and by seven remaining cousins. A memorial will be held at the Gardens on March 19th, 2016 at 11:00 am. Any donations may be sent to the Churchill Country Museum or the charity of choice.
