Wayne Leroy Christolear

Wayne Leroy Christolear was born on Jan. 22, 1949, in Wasco, to Murl (Thomasson) and Wesley Leroy Christolear. He passed away peacefully at home on March 20, 2023, in Hurricane, Utah, at the age of 74.

Wayne grew up in the Delano/McFarland area and graduated from McFarland High School in 1967. After high school, Wayne joined the U.S. Navy and served for four years during the Vietnam War era. In 1968, he married his high school sweetheart, Rosann Burtcher, and they would have celebrated 55 years together in October.

In 1973, Wayne and Rosann welcomed their long-awaited firstborn, a son, Wesley Dawayne Christolear. They went on to have Tony Lee Christolear in 1975, Tracy Michelle (Christolear) Sherman in 1979, and Kenneth Eric Christolear, who sadly passed hours after being born in 1982.

After his service in the Navy, Wayne and Rosann settled in Shafter, where he worked for Ranchers Cotton Oil, Shell Oil, Holiday Ford, KVS, Baker Hughes and a few other local trucking companies. They moved to Bakersfield for awhile, however, after retiring, Wayne and Rosann moved to Utah.

Wayne was raised attending McFarland Missionary Baptist Church, and later, after settling in Shafter, he and his family attended Shafter Missionary Baptist Church.

Wayne loved his country, his family and his cars, trucks, and motorcycles. He was a 49ers fan, but only because he was born in '49. His laugh was rare but genuine, and he will be greatly missed.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Murl Christolear; his sister, Glory June Martin; his son, Kenneth; his grand nephew, Cameron Brothers; and several beloved aunts and uncles.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Rosann; his son, W. Dawayne Christolear (Sheila); his son, Tony Christolear (Heather); his daughter, Tracy Sherman (Jason); seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; his brother-in-law, Charles Leon Martin; four nieces; seven nephews; and numerous grand nieces and nephews.

Services for Wayne will be held on Saturday, April 15, at 11 a.m. at the Seventh Standard Pentecostal Church, 4500 Bowles St., Shafter, with Pastor Jim Glasco officiating. A reception will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.