Wayne Clark, age 96, of De Leon, passed away Wednesday, August 10, 2016, in De Leon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Wayne worked for Consolidated Air Craft in San Diego, California until he was called to serve his country during World War II. Wayne served in the Navy Air Corp being stationed in the South Pacific until November 1945.

In 1946, Wayne married Florine Sebring in Tyler, Texas. Later that year, he hired on with McCullough Tool Company, an oil well specialty company, as a trainee. He was quickly promoted to engineer and in 1950, he was made District Manager of the Shreveport, Louisiana and Odessa, Texas areas. In 1955, God blessed Wayne and Florine with a son, Dwight, who, no doubt, was the center of their lives. In 1959, Wayne was transferred to Houston and later retired in 1974. He and Florine moved to De Leon where Wayne worked as the Tax Assessor for the De Leon Independent School District and the City of De Leon Hospital District. In 1985, he retired "again". Always a man to work, Wayne took up farming and ranching which provided the opportunity for him to enjoy God's creation. Later, in 2004, Wayne retired "again".

Wayne was a faithful member of the De Leon Church of Christ. He greatly enjoyed working in the Church helping others and serving in the community. It was a common fact that when Wayne was asked for help, he was always ready.

Wayne's memory was incredibly sharp and he loved to recount stories from his childhood, serving his country, the years of the depression, and his family life with Florine and Dwight. Wayne was a man with great appreciation for his country and his family.

He was born to Earl and Bessie Keith Clark on April 2, 1920, near Beattie, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Florine; and a sister, Opal Williams.

Wayne is survived by his son, Dwight Clark; niece, Billie Fails; great-niece, Mechell Fails; great-nephew, Curtis Fails; several cousins; and many, many friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, August 13, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at the De Leon Church of Christ with Minister David Westbrook and Minister Micah Dawson officiating. Graveside services followed in De Leon Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were John Mack Weaver, Kenny Keith, Larry Keith, Neil Pounds, Bill Smith, Larry Simpson, F.A. Eisenrich and James Bruton. Honorary pallbearers were Donnie Nowlin, Lannes Callison, Anthony Brinson and Jeff Brinson.