Wayne D Dawes

Wayne Dawes was born to Corrine and Gilbert Estes Dawes on July 2, 1945, in Harrisburg, Arkansas. He was welcomed by his sister Dorothy Ann and brother Donald Estes. Wayne spent his early childhood living in Jonesboro, Arkansas with his family. Some years later his parents divorced and his dad met Mary Barnes and remarried, with Wayne gaining two sisters, Harriet Jean, Jane and brother Harry.

The family later moved to Southern California for better employment opportunities. When offered a job to transfer to Northern California the family was elated to be able to live in an area that had greenery blue skies and fresh air that they left behind in Arkansas.

Wayne graduated from Ukiah High School in 1964. He worked at the White Cottage restaurant, helped his parents with their ranch and continued schooling to further his education. He was drafted into the United Stated Army in 1968 and was deployed to Vietnam. Just before his two years were up, he re-enlisted for one additional year. He was honorably discharged in 1971.

A few years later Wayne met Geri, the love of his life and they were married March 15, 1975 and celebrated over 45 years of marriage. Wayne first became a dad with the birth of his son Jeremy, four years later Justin was born and thirteen months later, Jarrod arrived to complete the family. His son Joshua was born in 1981 but sadly only survived a few hours after birth and became the family’s Angel.

Wayne’s grandchildren gave him great joy and blessings, and he always enjoyed being with them. He loved them and they definitely loved him.

When God called him home on December 31, 2020, the family was left with huge voids in their hearts, from the oldest to the youngest, but Wayne’s legacy will live on by his children and grandchildren. He has shown them that love and family comes first, that it is the number one priority.

Wayne is survived by his wife and best friend Geri, sons Jeremy (Meagen), Jarrod (Kristina), and Justin. His grandchildren Kevin (Santina), Matthew, Isabella, Emily, Josepine and Abigail.

Wayne, without realizing impacted many lives. The ripples of the impact known and unknown will be felt for lifetimes.