Carl Wayne "Wayne" Pyrtle

1952 - 2025

Carl Wayne "Wayne" Pyrtle

January 16, 1952 - November 21, 2025

Carl Wayne Pyrtle, known to all as Wayne and to his family as Poppy, passed away peacefully November 21, 2025 at Duke University Hospital. Born on January 16, 1952 - sharing a birthday with his mother - in Burlington, N.C., he was the son of Carl Malone Pyrtle and Ruby Sechrest Pyrtle, and grew up with deep roots in the community he loved.

Wayne's athletic gifts emerged early. At Williams High School, he became an All-American baseball player and was drafted by the Washington Senators straight out of high school. Guided by his father's advice, he chose to continue his education while pursuing the sport he loved. He spent two years playing baseball at Sandhills Community College before transferring to Pembroke State University, where he earned the honor of North Carolina Collegiate Athlete of the Year.

During his college years, he met the girl who had moved in next-door to his parents' home - the love of his life, Donna. They married in 1975 and built a devoted, joyful marriage that lasted 50 years.

After college, Wayne's competitive spirit led him into professional softball, where he traveled the country with his young family in tow. Later, he found new passion in golf, a sport in which he was a natural talent. He spent time competing professionally, and one of the proudest moments of his life came in 2005 when he played in the Senior PGA Championship at Laurel Valley Country Club in Ligonier, Pennsylvania - sharing the course with legends he deeply admired, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player.

Professionally, Wayne worked in reinsurance for several companies, valuing the friendships and camaraderie he built over the years. Yet above all else, his greatest devotion and joy was his family. His life centered on being a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 50 years, Donna; his son, Jay and wife, Julie, and their children, Emma and Fenton; and his daughter, Karla and husband, Mark, and their daughters, Myers and Annie James.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Malone Pyrtle and Ruby Sechrest Pyrtle.

Wayne will be remembered for his quick sense of humor, his unwavering loyalty to the people he loved, and the deep joy he found in life's simple pleasures. He adored his dog, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Duke, and he was a passionate fan of Duke University athletics - especially Blue Devil basketball. Above all, he was devoted to his family, who were the center of his world, and his legacy will live on through them forever.

Service Information: Visitation will be held Monday, November 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Rich and Thompson Funeral Home in Burlington. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, November 25 at 1 p.m. at Front Street United Methodist Church in Burlington. Burial will follow at Alamance Memorial Park.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Wayne's honor to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate.

Rich & Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service