RJ Wayne Obituary (1945 - 2021) - South Lake Tahoe, California

RJ "Jack" Wayne (ne Schleining) Born in Inglewood, CA. He died of a heart attack at home, aka Wayne Manor. A South Lake Tahoe resident since 1976, he loved every minute of his 44 years of working as a banquet waiter at South Lake Tahoe. He is known by many first names: Prince in the Queen's Court, Rick, RJ, Jack; and he legally changed his last name to Wayne from Schleining (spell it aloud to understand). By any name was a dude's dude: a little bit cooler, funnier and more fun than the rest of us. He loved beautiful blondes, fine wine, placing a good bet, a good meal with great service, as well as feeding peanuts to squirrels and birds on his back porch. He loved sports of all kinds, especially watching the San Diego State University Aztecs and the Los Angeles Dodgers; completing a life goal of catching a game at every major league baseball park. He attended Tustin High School in Orange County, CA where he is remembered for helping many classmates to stay in school by making school fun. RJ loved traveling the country and the world. After graduating with a BS from San Diego State, he hit the road in his VW Camper "The Prodder." In 1975 he drove it and two friends on a 5800 mile trek around Mexico. Jack was generous to a fault, an avid reader, a writer of short stories, a painter, a guitar player in a band, a municipal bond investor, a gambler, a big tipper, an ex-Marine, an anti-war protestor and even raised carrier pigeons. Rick loved going fast whether on a jet ski, skateboard or racing his Camaro at Sonoma and Monterey racetracks. A complex, private person that always had that secret smile. He was my best friend. Someone who could turn a casual comment into the funniest most profound observation ever heard. He will be missed by his family and a multitude of friends. Survived by his nieces Tracy Miller of Irvine, CA and Chrys "Kiffie" Ceithaml of Laguna Beach, CA; nephew Greg Ewald of Gainesville, GA. Grandnieces Hannah Ewald of Gainesville, GA; Kara Ceithaml of Laguna Beach, CA; Taylor Ceithaml of Laguna Beach, CA; and grandnephews Brandon Miller of San Diego, CA; Colin Ceithaml of Laguna Beach, CA; Trevor Ewald of Gainesville, GA; and Kyle Shriver of Gainesville, GA. Preceded in death by his sister Donna Lee Gilbreath (nee Schleining). Services to be announced. Joseph Mackin