Wayne Franklin Vashaw

Wayne was born on May 1, 1944 in Durham, North Carolina, and is predeceased by his parents, Lois Harward Vashaw and Volney Vern Vashaw. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Gercken Vashaw; sons, W. Franklin Vashaw, Jr. (Carla) and Daniel Harward Vashaw (Brenda); as well as daughters, Kristina Marie Rundle (Bob) and Jennifer Hart Knapp.

Affectionally known as “Ducky”, Wayne is also survived by nine grandchildren: Chloe Frances Vashaw, Leigh Parker Vashaw Kwiatkowski (Rob), Daniel Levi Vashaw, Charles Wayne Vashaw, Joshua David Rundle, Matthew Robert Rundle, Andrew Nicholas Rundle, Bennett Weslee Knapp, and Oliver Patrick Knapp. He also has one great-grandson, Christopher James Vashaw.

Wayne is also survived by brother, Volney Harward Vashaw (Kathleen) and his trusted Golden Doodle, Sadie.

In high school, Wayne was known as “Wayne the Train” as he excelled in football, baseball, and basketball. He was named the MVP of the Durham High School football team in 1961, and was offered an opportunity to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers after high school, but elected to stay close to his family after the passing of his father. He did attend East Carolina University playing baseball for a short time.

He began his career in scientific instrument sales at Cardinal Products in Durham, NC, before taking the job as regional sales representative for E. Leitz/Leica in Atlanta. He then began an excellent entrepreneurial career as the owner of Vashaw Scientific Incorporated, which was a highly successful business for over 24 years.

Wayne loved his family, traveling in his RV, his boat to go fishing on the coast of Georgia, steak, oysters, Atlanta sports teams, and Duke basketball. He was a much loved father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many. His loss will be widely felt.

The family requests, that in lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the Coastal Conservation Association Georgia (ccaga.org) to help conserve and protect the coast of Georgia that he loved so much.

There will be a Celebration of life at a future date for all of those who wish to honor Wayne’s life and legacy.