Gayle Wayne Cantrell was born in Bogalusa, Louisiana, on March 5, 1933, to Vaughn Cantrell, a Coca-Cola salesman from Tennessee, and Josye Mitchell Cantrell of Mississippi. He grew up on a farm outside of Bogalusa, with five sisters. Even with farm chores, Wayne had time for swimming in the creek, playing pickup sports, and winning awards at state high school academic rallies. He graduated from Bogalusa High as valedictorian and class president in May 1950, entering West Point Military Academy in July. Wayne's parents moved to Franklinton after his high school graduation, and his father ran the Western Auto Store there for many years. His parents remained in Franklinton until their passing.
At West Point, Wayne competed for a Rhodes scholarship, and played on intramural championship teams and in the annual Goats/Engineers football game. He represented C-1 on the General Committee and managed the 1954 auto show. He was a personal escort for Charles Lindbergh when he visited West Point. At graduation, Wayne received the Steuben Society award for the highest class standing in foreign languages. He entered Air Force pilot training in August 1954 and he and Patricia Webb, from Franklinton, La, were married in December 1954.
Winning his wings in 1955 fulfilled Wayne's dream of becoming a jet pilot. In 1959 he requested graduate school and earned his Masters' degree in Electrical Engineering, graduating first in his class in 1960 as a USAF captain. He was assigned as a research engineer at Kirtland AFB, NM, exploring effects of nuclear weapons in space and related phenomena. He developed devices for space probes and participated in missile launches, maintaining his pilot status by flying jets on weekends. He published papers and gave lectures on electronics and space research. He recalled observing the launch of Alan Shepard while working on an adjacent missile complex. He and Pat were blessed with two lovely daughters, Melanie in 1955 and Melinda in 1958; but they suffered a severe loss in the infant death of another daughter, Valerie, in 1957. While serving in the USAF, Wayne was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, and the Air Force Longevity Service Award w/1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. Wayne resigned his Air Force commission in 1963 to start a civilian career in aerospace technology.
Joining a small company in Huntsville AL, he was involved in developing aircraft, missile, and satellite systems for the military, NASA, and major universities. In spite a busy schedule, he spent time with his family in their lakefront cottage, where they enjoyed water skiing, fishing, and swimming. Later positions with other companies took him in 1971 to Melbourne, FL; in 1986 to Round Rock, TX; and in 1988 to St. Petersburg, FL, in various technical and management roles.
Wayne's civilian career spanned 35 years in aerospace, defense, and communications, frequently in classified work, with responsibility for business of over $100 million per year. He directed development of electronics for several aircraft, missiles, satellites, and ships. He was on special assignment in Iran during the Islamic revolution of the late 1970s. He was a key participant in technical ventures with companies in Italy, Germany, Canada, and the UK. He was invited to speak at national and international aerospace conferences. Before retirement, his management team was commended by the Secretary of the Navy for development of a revolutionary system for air and missile defense.
After his retirement in 1998, Wayne and Pat remained in St. Pete Beach, FL, active in community and church projects and Florida Gators sports. Wayne's interest in Europe and his self-taught knowledge of other languages enabled them to take many annual driving vacations across Europe, enjoying local history, art, and culture. He liked country and classical music, and he also enjoyed Renaissance and Baroque art and architecture. At home, he enjoyed writing newspaper articles, reading, cooking, and corresponding with friends and relatives.
In 2009 they suffered another loss in the unexpected death of their older daughter Melanie in Alabama. In 2010 they finally moved to Baton Rouge to be near family, but soon decided to move to Arkansas in 2012 near their daughter Melinda and her husband John P. Schmohl. Wayne and Pat purchased a house near Melinda, as well as their grandson John A. Schmohl. There they enjoyed occasional travel to new places, college athletic events, gym workouts, and cooking, reading, and relaxing at home.
Wayne began to suffer from mild dementia in 2012, painful knees, and mild atrial fibrillation. However, Wayne and Pat stayed active by joining the local gym/swim club, and swimming/working out several times a week. In 2019 their daughter, Melinda, moved back to their hometown, Melbourne, FL, and so they were soon to follow. Wayne and Pat moved back to Melbourne in 2020 and enjoyed living on the Melbourne (Suntree) Golf Course, and within minutes to the beaches, Kennedy Space Center/Cape Canaveral, and Patrick Space Force Base (former PAFB).
Wayne suffered further declining health due to dementia in 2021 and on April 6, 2022 at the age of 89, Wayne passed at VITAS Hospice Hospital in Rockledge, Fl. Wayne will be cremated at Island Cremations and Funeral Home in Merritt Island, FL, and his remains will then be buried at the Ellis Cemetery, in Franklinton, La., in the Cantrell family plot.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Patricia F. Cantrell of Melbourne, Fl., his daughter, Melinda Schmohl and her husband, John P. Schmohl of Melbourne, Fl. Sisters: Terry C. Seal of Franklinton, La., Janice O'Connor-Waguespack of Baton Rouge, La. Grandchildren: Lauren Odell, Faye Thompson, Melissa Underwood and husband Vance Underwood, Allison Schmohl, and John A. Schmohl and wife Kierstyn Schmohl. Great-grandchildren: Joseph Matella, twins Emily and Olivia Matella, Fraya Odell, Ayden Odell, and newest addition, baby John O. Schmohl (Ollie), and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sisters Evon Cantrell Seale Koonse, Roxanne C. Burris, and Lana C. Todd.
