On Sunday February 10, surrounded by family, Wayne’s big ol’ heart finally stopped. He passed away peacefully at his home in Fieldbrook.

Wayne was the 10th child born to Pauline (Alberty) Baker and Homer Clyde Graham in Claremore, Oklahoma on their anniversary. At age five his family moved to California where Wayne attended school. After high school he moved to Arcata to work in various lumber and plywood mills. If you knew Wayne, you probably heard the story about how he quit three different jobs in the same day.

In 1954 his carefree personality and his kindhearted stubbornness attracted the attention of what would become the love of his life, Betty Burnett. Soon after in 1955 they were married and in 1957 they welcomed a baby girl, Paula. In 1958 they were blessed with a son, Ralph. Their faith in God and their love for each other was the foundation for supporting for each other and guiding their family through all of the challenges that life threw at them. Wayne and Betty would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on the 24th of February.

Wayne played hard but he worked even harder. In 1960 he started a 10-year career with Foremost Dairy as a commercial delivery route driver. After leaving Foremost Dairy Wayne went on to work for Reliable Hardware for several years, as a salesman from Fortuna to Oregon, making many lifelong friends as he had done while at Foremost Dairy. He then started his owner/operated business of commercial janitorial and carpet cleaning, which he ran successfully for many years. During this time both Betty and Paula helped with the business. It wasn’t uncommon to find Wayne buffing the floors with one of the grandkids sitting on top on the floor machine going for a ride while he polished away. He ended his career working at Humboldt State University until retirement.

While raising his family in Arcata Wayne was active with family, church and community. During those years he kept to his hobbies of fishing and basketball. He eventually became a basketball referee and coached little league and Babe Ruth for many years. All through the years he and Betty enjoyed family camping, fishing, and abalone diving. Lots of school, sports, cheerleading and scouting events with Ralph and Paula. Yearly vacations were educational road trips or horseback packing into wilderness areas.

Wayne’s greatest pleasure was his family and friends. He enjoyed sharing his love of gardening, woodworking, photoshop & smoking salmon. He became an excellent pie maker during retirement. Wayne was a member of North Fork Full Gospel Community Church for many years where he was baptized by pastor James Ray.

Wayne was a big man with an even bigger heart. He is dearly loved and will be greatly missed. He leaves us with the comforting words of Isiah 40:31.

Wayne is survived by his wife Betty; daughter Paula Watson & husband Kim, son Ralph Graham; grandchildren, Sara Smith & husband Arley, Katie Hooven & husband Dave, Kaleb Watson, David Watson & wife Corrie, Cassie Graham, Johanna Graham, Hunter Graham; great grandchildren, William Cooke, Olivia Smith, Lyla Smith, Mason Hooven, Cameron Hooven, Kaycee Watson, Codie Watson, Dillon Watson, Andrew Henderson, Shane Graham, Brentton Graham, Tucker Payton, Rayden Payton; great-great grandchildren, Arlo Smith, Malinda Russell; siblings, Ronnie Graham, Wanda Twillager.

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Pauline and Homer; siblings, Bud, Homer, Ladema, Peggy, Eddna, Arna, Dick, Floyd, Marilyn.

Friends are invited to join the family as we honor Wayne at a graveside service Friday February 21, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Arcata, with a reception to follow at North Fork Community Church, 2333 McKinleyville Avenue, McKinleyville.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Parkinsons Foundation in Wayne’s memory.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Wayne Graham’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.