Wayne Ray Pearse
Share
Wayne Ray Pearse, 70, passed away at home July 25, 2022 with family at his side. Wayne was born July 2, 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Kathleen Montgomery Pearse and Howard Jay Pearse. In 1968, the family, which includes brothers Rusty and Dan, moved to Broken Arrow, OK where they built a dog kennel which they operated for many years. During that time, they raised and showed Airedale terriers. Along with his work in the kennel, Wayne was the proud companion of two Champions. He continued to make Airedales part of his family into adulthood.
Wayne attended Broken Arrow High School and Oklahoma State University for a year, where he was on the wrestling team before being drafted into the Army. Following his time in the Army, he attended Oklahoma State Technical School to become an electrician. Upon graduation, he went to work at the University of Kansas Memorial Student Union. He became proficient in all the maintenance trades during his 33 years at KU. He advanced in his career to eventually become The Director of Building Services. Despite opportunities to work in the private sector, Wayne chose to devote his talents to the students, staff, faculty and professors of KU.
In 1980, Wayne married Kathy Ebanks of Lawrence. Together they journeyed through 41 years of marriage and enjoyed life with two daughters, Lisa and Shelly, and many pets. Wayne had a lifelong love for fishing, boating, fishing, camping and fishing. He loved cars and hot rods and enjoyed a post-retirement job at O’Reilly. He always said he was proud to have never owned a minivan. He relished outdoor gardening and yardwork. Wayne could fix anything and proudly kept every house in which his family lived in tip-top shape. He pitched on a fastpitch softball team in the Army and played park and rec softball for the Union and on co-ed teams with Kathy for many years. He coached and taught fastpitch for several of Lisa’s teams, and served as president of Lawrence Phenix Fastpitch Association in the early 2000’s. He thoroughly delighted in watching Shelly dance during many years of recitals. The whole family camped and fished together for many years. After the girls were grown, Wayne and Kathy continued to own boats and fish until he could no longer do so. Wayne loved Classic Rock and attended many concerts. He was thrilled to listen to Lisa and Shelly play violin and viola in school orchestras.
Several years after Lisa and Shelly were born, Wayne started attending Mass with Kathy and the girls at St. John the Evangelist and became a member in 1999. He was proud to be a Big Brother for a while. Wayne cared about the well-being of others and helped those who needed it whenever he could. A near-death experience at the age of 19 left him with the certainty that he was going to a truly blessed place.
Wayne is survived by wife Kathy of the home, daughters Lisa (Tyson) Russell, Shelly (Eric) Degenhardt and newborn granddaughter June Degenhardt of Lawrence, brothers Rusty (Sissy) Pearse of Burleson, TX, and Dan (Jeanette) Pearse of Matagorda, TX, and many nieces and nephews. Wayne was outgoing and had so many friends. He valued them all.
The family wishes to extend tremendous thanks to the doctors, nurses, technicians and volunteers at LMH Health Oncology and Radiation. Our utmost gratitude goes out to our Interim Hospice team for the outstanding end-of-life care they provided for Wayne and our family.
Memorial donations can be made to Catch a Break Fund at LMH Health.lmh.org>foundation or may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Lawrence. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Lawrence. A Rosary will be recited prior to the service at 9:30 a.m. at the church.
I had the privilege of working with Wayne for many years at the KU Student Union.
Wayne was much more than a fellow employee, he was a friend and a brother from another mother! The memories are too many to mention yet too close to my heart to ever forget. After retirement Wayne and I rekindled our friendship and began a group of Union retirees calling ourselves the ROMEO’s (Real Old Men Eating Out). I will always cherish having the great honor of having known Wayne! The Good Lord will have his hands full trying to get a word in edgewise with his latest deciple. My heart and prayers go out to Kathy and family who know he is in a better place and free of his mortal shell. Love you man!
I also worked with Wayne for 34 years and a finer man did not exist. I thought so much of him that I moved into his neighborhood! I will miss him and his tales so much! All my best to Wayne’s family, who he loved so much.
Kathy, Lisa and Shelly.
I am so sorry to hear of Waynes passing. He was good neighbor and better friend.
You are all in our prayers. God Bless You
Wayne was the finest of stewards of the Kansas and Burge Unions and all those who entered. He was my big brother and dear friend, always there for anyone that had a need. As Pat noted above, heaven just got really interesting! Kathy, Lisa and Shelly, he loved you most and dearly. Never was there a day where your names were not mentioned in the most loving of ways.
Wayne was a cherished leader, manager, comrade and friend. Over his decades of service to KU, he safeguarded the KU Memorial Union, protected its patrons and enabled its programs and services for generations of Jayhawks. His “can do” attitude, exuberant storytelling, savvy deal making and renegade spirit endeared him to all. He was also a generous contributor to the various communities of which he was a member. His vibrancy and kindness will be deeply missed.
My condolences to you Kathy and your family. I had the honor of working with Wayne for many years at the Union. He was a wonderful and fun colleague. In Student Programs, Wayne was always there to support student leaders with events and how to make their ideas come to life.
Dear Kathy and family,
From another longtime KU Memorial Unions colleague and friend of Wayne’s, my deepest sympathy.
My deepest sympathy to Kathy and family. Wayne was such a lively and engaging person. I worked with him for many years at the Kansas Union. I knew that he would always have a story or joke for me when he stopped by my desk. He truly loved his family and faith beyond measure .
I had worked with Wayne on events with Student Union Activities before I moved over to the building services department at the Kansas Union. First day on the new job, Wayne made it a point to welcome me. I always remembered that. Any working group has a task leader usually assigned. But there is always one you can name as the social leader – the guy who makes sure everyone is included in whatever project or discussion we were working. My deepest sympathy to Kathy, Lisa, Shelly and their family.
Unfortunately I couldn’t attend his funeral because of work. Wayne was a true gentleman, a real mensch. When I worked with him he was always so considerate and pleasant to be around. He spoke of his family often at work. He had such a great sense of humor, his laugh was contagious. I remember one instance at work when he brought up Ren and Stimpy, and since it was the holidays I recited their version of “Deck the Halls.” Wayne was tickled that I had it memorized, and exclaimed that I was the Ren and Stimpy Historian. People like Wayne make life so much more enjoyable. I will never forget him.
My heartfelt condolences to your family. Wayne as a long-ago family friend and a very special man. God bless you all and give you peace.
In Christian love,
Bonnie McCoy Benham