In Memory of

James Henry Wayne

My Father

He was born in 1917 in a tiny town in eastern North Carolina, in a family of farmers who lived on a small plot of their own land and other plots they rented from larger landowners.  He was one of 9 surviving children.

His main characteristic to his family was his eagerness.  He always ran, his siblings said, no matter what.  Whenever he was told to do something, he ran.

After graduating from high school, he was offered a scholarship to NC State University, but his family was unable to afford his train ticket to Raleigh.  Realizing that he had no future on the farm, he hiked more than forty miles to find a military recruiter.  He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1939.

As a Marine, he fought in both World War II and Korea.  He landed on Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and was preparing to participate in the invasion of the Japanese home islands when the war ended.  He participated in the occupation of Japan and the United Nations action in Korea.  He served most of his military career as a Warrant Officer, and rose to the rank of First Lieutenant.

After retiring, he worked an insurance salesman, a realtor, and a banker.  He then became the town manager of Lake Waccamaw, NC.  He supervised the building of the town's water and sewer system.  He participated in the efforts to create a rescue squad for the town, and to open a medical center for the area.  After his death, his uniform number for the Lake Waccamaw Fire and Rescue Squad was retired in his honor.

He raised three children.  His main characteristic as a father was his dependability.  My sisters and I always knew that, no matter what the situation, he was always there, able and willing to come if we needed him.  I remember that, as a teenager, I never had a curfew.  But I also knew that, whatever time I returned home, he would be waiting for me, not to reprove me, but to be sure his family was safe.  The knowledge of his sure concern and love was my greatest support.

This characteristic was known to more than his family.  No one who ever knew him doubted that Jim Wayne would be there if you needed him.  If someone needed help, they knew he could be counted on.

He helped to found a medical center that served the many poor people of his county.    He worked to preserve Lake Waccamaw and the Waccamaw River from pollution.  He worked with the AARP to pass legislation to help the retired, and with the VFW to help American veterans.  He was one of the founders of the Hallsboro VFW post.

I am his son and bear his name.  If, in my lifetime, I can serve half as many as he served, or be of half the use, I will count my life well spent.

If the function of a father for a son is to show, by example, what it is to be a man, then he was a perfect father.

Thanks, Dad. 

 

This is my song, to be a man.

To walk the paths men walk and serve

my home, my community.

 

It is not a new song, the first men

Sang it by the caves, when they stood

with their spears against the wolves.

 

They taught their sons this song

to protect, to secure, to be

the dependable base.

 

Not all have learned, but I

have no excuse. You set

the clearest example.

 

Father!  Let me be

your shadow, the image

of your constancy.