B. Wayne Nearn
Obituary
B. Wayne Nearn passed away on Oct. 30, 2022, at the age of 91. He was the son of Elzie Nearn and Opal Curtis. He was born in Choctaw, Okla., on Feb. 22,1931. He grew up moving a lot and lived in Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico before settling in California..
He did ranch work in his youth and farm work as he went to school. He graduated from Alpaugh High School. After high school, he joined the Air Force, where he flew in B-29's during the Korean War. He married his high school sweetheart, Jean Sonke, in September 1953. They moved to Greenfield, Calif., in 1955 after visiting family who lived there. He worked a couple of jobs before joining the Monterey County Sheriff's Department, where he was one of the top shooters, and in 1969, he was awarded the Deputy Sheriff of the Year. He retired in 1973 and then went into the pump business.
After working in the Pump business, he went to work for the California Prison System at Soledad as an Electrician before retiring. He enjoyed time with family. He and his wife went on several trips before and after he retired. He was a man of many trades
He was involved in several activities during this time he was on the Greenfield Recreation Board - President of the PTA; a Boy Scout Leader; 4-H instructor; Swimming Instructor; and a member of the Mee Memorial Hospital Board. He was very proud of being a Potawatomi.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Burnard and Bill Nearn; two sisters, Barbara Walker and Bonnie Elsey; and three nephews.
He is survived by his wife, Jean, of 69 years; brother, Benny Nearn; sons, Neil and Bruce (Cindy) Nearn; daughter, Lisa Nearn; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Veterans Association, Hospice or Alzheimer's Association.
A Celebration of Life will be held on January 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the DeAnza Building in San Lorenzo Park. Potluck style lunch so please bring some kind of dish.
Published in Salinas Valley Tribune · December 5, 2022