September 14, 1938 - September 17, 2024
In loving memory ~
The Man - The Myth - The Legend
With the full hunter moon to light his way, our Cariboo cowboy saddled up for his last ride through the wide-open country where there are no fences. At the end of the trail are all his old cowboy buddies and family who made the ride before: Basil, Graham, Jim, Lloyd, Fred, Bob, Teddy, Bobby, Ron, Randy, Murray, Roger, Gary, Rick, John and Gardner Clan - Dad, Mom, June, Doug, Kelly, Craig and Wageman Clan - Gus, Helyne, Lucy, Dan and Frank.
Wayne was introduced into the world of ranching early in his life, spending childhood summers from age six under the mentorship of his maternal grandfather Charlie Fergusson, an original, tough Wild West adventurer and rancher who believed in free-range child raising and the school of hard knocks - "If you survive, you'll thrive." Throughout his 86 years, Wayne, with these early lessons, was willing to take risks, make mistakes, and take detours to achieve diverse accomplishments from recognition with distinction as a Queen Scout as an adolescent to becoming a highly skilled heavy-duty equipment operator in the highway construction of the Rogers Pass, often volunteering for the highest risk jobs to an award winning rural/ranch realtor to dam construction contractor to ranch and feedlot manager. This willingness to gamble and take risks also meant he danced the rapids on stretches of wild and rough waters taking the attitude that there are no mistakes, just lessons to be learned.
Wayne's most enduring passion was for the rodeo culture, participating as an amateur competitor in the roping events; judging local, national, and international rodeos; and as BC Rodeo Association president.
He never tired of trading and reliving rodeo stories with old and new cowboy chums.
Wayne fiercely defended his independence and determination to live life on his terms and take risks to pursue haunting and sometimes impossible dreams. He related and was drawn to the restless characters poignantly portrayed in Robert Service's Yukon poetry who in this pursuit "broke the hearts of kith and kin."
The past several years of increasing health issues proved the most challenging for Wayne's indomitable spirit and strong will and mind. He continued to dream big to the very end as he fought to will his failing body back to strength. True to his determination to keep control of his life in his hands, he made the final call.
Wayne epitomized the old-style Cariboo Cowboy - Easy to love, hard to live with. His greatest and most magnificent enduring legacy are his two sons, Quinn (Pam) and Devin, resilient men of courage and determination. Those who will fondly remember him and his entertaining stories with a smile, a tear, and a hurting place in their hearts are Sharon, fellow sojourner; Gene, all-weather friend; and members of the Gardner and Wageman Clans - family, in-laws, and outlaws.
So in the tradition of Wayne's favourite pastime, sharing stories and a pint with friends -
"Of all the money that e'er I had,
I have spent it in good company -
Of all the comrades that e'er I had,
they're sorry for my going away -
Of all the sweethearts that e'er I had,
they would wish me one more day to stay -
But since it fall into my lot that I
must go and you must stay -
So fill to me the parting glass
and drink a health whate'er befalls -
And gently rise and softly call -
Good night and joy be to you all."
Wayne will return to rest on the land he loved best — the wide open prairies of the Cariboo.
"Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing, there is a field. I will meet you there."