WAYNE CORMAN

Heaven has a new farmer. Wayne Corman passed away peacefully with loved ones by his side on July 5, 2023. He was born on Nov. 10, 1943, and raised in Lissie, Texas, where as a youngster he roamed the area with friends on horseback. After starting school a year early, in East Bernard, he later became an Eagle Lake Eagle, the 1961 Class President and an All District pulling guard and linebacker on the football team.

Wayne followed in his brother’s footsteps to his beloved Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Corp of Cadets, graduating in 1965 with a degree in Agricultural Economics. He met lifelong friends at Texas A&M and attended most Aggie home football games for over 50 years, cooking at pregame tailgates, visiting with classmates and extending invitations and hospitality to both Aggie friends and opposing fans.

Following college, he served in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort McPherson near Atlanta, Georgia, which led to meeting the love of his life, his Georgia Peach, Brenda. Upon completion of his military stint, Wayne joined his father and brother farming rice and raising cattle, as he and Brenda raised a family in Eagle Lake. He was blessed not only with a devoted wife, but with getting to do what he loved - farming. He was proud that he had only missed two or three harvests (one with Covid) since his teenage years, and somehow still drove a combine every year despite his recent health limitations.

He served his community as a board member of the Rice Consolidated School District, Rice Medical Center and First National Bank of Eagle Lake and coached his three children’s little league baseball and softball teams. He also enjoyed the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and spent a number of years on the Junior Commercial Steer Committee, where he and Brenda enjoyed meeting new people and forming new friendships.

Wayne loved to hunt, especially geese and ducks. After guiding several years with the Jimmy Reel Hunting Club, he branched out on his own, and guided hunters from across the country. It was a labor of love, and in later years, he seemed to most enjoy the annual family Teal hunt, and hunting with his grandsons.

An excellent cook, particularly on the grill, he was known for his delicious steaks, beef fajitas and squash pie. He also enjoyed growing a garden, and tons of okra, which he often pickled and shared with friends. He played golf as long as his body allowed and enjoyed friendly competition and teasing his golf buddies on the course. An early riser, he would wake up and hit the ground running, and spent many early mornings hamming it up at the coffee shop with his coffee shop friends.

First and foremost, Wayne was a family man, and he did all he could to always be there for his wife and children. For just about every sporting event his children or grandchildren participated in, he was there cheering them on from the stands. Many summer Sunday afternoons were spent at Broyles Lake, pulling his kids and others around the lake on waterskis and inner tubes. Vacation time usually occurred in the winter, as he and Brenda loaded up the cherubs, as he called them, and caravanned with friends on ski trips to New Mexico and Colorado.

Wayne was a people person, and loved people of all ages, but was especially fond of young children. He had a big personality and made a positive impact on his family and friends. An eternal optimist, even to the very end, he will be greatly missed by his loving family.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Alma and Victor Ray Corman Sr., his brother, Victor Ray Corman Jr., and in-laws Gail Phillips and Martha and William (Bill) Tarrant. He is survived by his loving wife Brenda, his sons Troy and Vance (April), his daughter Kimberly Etheridge (Arthur), his grandsons Chance Corman, Cole Corman and Zachary Etheridge, his sister and brother- in-law Jo Carolyn and Don Keprta and nieces Donna McClure (James), Laura Keprta, sister-in-law Cherry Corman and nieces Lisa Weinheimer (Ed) and Suzanne Shelby (John), brother-in-law Robert Burroughs (Diane), nephews Robert Jr. and Cory Burroughs, brother-in-law Terry Phillips (Freddie), nephews Trent (Krissy) and Stuart Phillips (Amy) and several great nephews and nieces.

Visitation was Monday, July 10, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus, Texas.

Funeral service was Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus with Pastor Steve Littlefield officiating. Visitation on Tuesday was from 8-10 a.m.

Burial followed in Lissie Community Cemetery in Lissie, Texas.

Pallbearers were Chance Corman, Cole Corman, Zachary Etheridge, Edmund Weinheimer, Jordan Darr, and Matthew Stelzel. Honorary pallbearers were Kenneth Mahalitc, Joe Mike Crane, Mike Grigar, Wayne Bowen, Don Keprta, James Sralle, Pete Ruman, Johnny Meitzen, Dr. Russell Thomas, Doug Otten, Ron Beyer, Gary Mabie, Joe Fisher, Dennis Glenewinkle, Bill Harrison, Nelson Isenhower, Joe Hlavinka and posthumously, Victor Ray Corman, Jr.

The family would like to thank the numerous doctors, nurses and support staff that provided great care and compassion at Houston Methodist Hospital in downtown Houston, as well as Pastors Steve Littlefield and Stan Warfield.

If inclined, donations may be made to the Rice Medical Center Employee Volunteers, P.O. Box 277, Eagle Lake, Texas 77434, the Eula and David Wintermann Library, 101 N Walnut Ave., Eagle Lake, Texas 77434 or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may give given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.