Wayne Claude Doak

Wayne Claude Doak, the son of Perry and Arietta (Hughes) Doak was born August 30, 1927 in Holdrege, NE. He was called to join God's team on December 1, 2010 at the age of 83.

Wayne grew up in the St. Francis, KS and Benkelman, NE area on a farm. He loved riding his horse and working on the farm with his dad. Wayne attended school in St Francis and Cherry Creek, KS.

He entered the US Army on February 8, 1946 with the 5th Calvary Regiment out of Benkleman, NE. He served as a Technician 5th Grade during the WWII reconstruction period in Nagasaki, Occupied Japan.

He received his honorable discharge on April 2nd, 1947 with the WWII Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal. When he came home to the United States he swore he would never eat fish or rice again.

Wayne married Vonda Gayleen Davis on August 30, 1949 at her parent's home in McDonald Kansas. To this union, six children were born.

Wayne was employed as a deck foreman, building slip form concrete elevators and traveling the country with his wife and children for 11 years. In 1960, Wayne and Vonda decided to settle their family in McCook and he formed his own millwright & construction company. Over the years the company changed as it grew until his son, Sid joined him in 1974 and together they built what is now known as Doak Construction, Inc. Wayne sold his share of Doak Construction to his son Sid in 1998 but continued to be an active participant lending his wisdom and expertise, working almost full time until shortly before the time of his death.

As his youngest daughter, Shonda became involved in sports, Wayne became a girls softball coach; first coaching his daughter's slow pitch softball team and then becoming instrumental in bringing competitive girls fast pitch softball to McCook. His traveling team, The Untouchables, played all over the Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas area. After 30 years of coaching, Wayne coached his 500th game this past summer for his YMCA Girls Fast Pitch Team. Wayne knew nothing about softball until he started coaching and spent hours watching games and reading informational manuals so that he could become an expert coach. He was invited to coach at a seminar in Arizona this summer but was unable to attend because of his health.

Wayne loved using his metal detector, camping with his family, traveling, appraising coins and attending auctions. He was an avid Cornhuskers fan, closely following the football and volleyball teams. He was proud of his country and served several years as the head of the Democratic Party in McCook. One of his most memorable moments was working with Robert Kennedy when he came to McCook during his campaign for the Presidency. Wayne's favorite place to eat and visit with people was Fuller's Family Restaurant where he had a host of dedicated friends, especially Val and Linda.

After settling in McCook, Wayne and Vonda introduced the family to Christianity and promoted a new lifestyle to create a positive influence for their children. The family was active members of the Egan Park Southern Baptist Church, and Wayne served several years as a Deacon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Vonda, his wife of 59 years; his oldest son, Stan, killed in action in Vietnam; his sister, Patricia; and three great-grandchildren: Lane Budzinski, Olivia and Nora Roth.

Survivors include three sons: Steve and significant other, Linda George of Denver, Sid and wife Susan of McCook, and Spencer and wife Tammy of Lincoln; two daughters: Sandy and husband Mike Budzinski of Lincoln and Shonda and husband Stuart Grant of Culver City, CA; 16 grandchildren: Ryan Doak and partner Michelle Larson, Jamie Budzinski and wife Suzanne, Brandi, Jacie, and Brady Budzinski of the Lincoln area, Maggie (Doak) Wilson and husband Brett, Kyle Doak and partner Tara Miller, and Emily Doak and partner Ray Ulibarri, all of the Denver area, Kelda Shippy Doak of Hays, KS, Mike Roth and wife Tracey, Matt Roth and wife Jessica, all of Lincoln area and Michelle Armstrong of McCook, Molly and Grant Doak of Lincoln, Jude and Joshua Grant of Culver City, CA; 16 great-grandchildren and one expected great-grandchild; brothers, Ed Doak and wife Francis of OK, Elza Doak and wife Lea Ann of McCook; sisters, Jody Kirby of Cambridge, LaVeta Pinkston and husband Dale of OK, Janet Lawver and husband Stan of Kearney, Blanche Mustard and husband Rodney of OK.

Visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 5 pm at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be Monday, December 6, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home with burial following at Memorial Park Cemetery next to his beloved wife and son.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.