Monday, September 18, 2023
Wayne always took great delight in introducing himself as a “Red Neck”. Thinking back, he never ever said what his definition of a red neck was. From my definition, the only time I would call Wayne a true red neck was when he stood in the sun too long without a hat.
But if Wayne’s definition of a red neck was: a person that deeply cared for others and their safety; wanted to have a leadership role; had a great sense of humor; was a wonderful natural MC; loved to tell stories and jokes; knew every word to every song, but couldn’t carry a tune in a basket; one who would listen to others so he could learn from them; had an ego big enough to be a good leader, but one small enough to know he didn’t know it all; one that could be dressed up as Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, Tigger, bare chested as a Chippendale model or wear a coconut bra and grass skirt in front of a room full of friends, family or strangers with equal aplomb. If that was his definition, then Wayne truly was a Red Neck.
Every time I was at an event that Wayne was the MC, I would remember the time he MCed Emily H’s birthday party and he told the joke about “the Lady going to a tailor to get a new suit fitted”. It was so funny and inappropriate and only Wayne could have pulled it off. Come to think of it maybe he was the other kind of red neck after all.
I also remember that every time I entered an elevator and saw Wayne’s name on the posted certification sheet, I thanked him and felt safe because I knew he was looking out for us. I still feel him looking out for us.
Thank you my friend.
Greg Lofvendahl
