Edward Bryan Waynick

SUMMERFIELD Edward Bryan Waynick, 58, passed away Saturday morning in his home in Summerfield after a five-year battle with early onset Alzheimer's disease. Edward, known by everyone as Eddie, Bud, or "E," was born in Greensboro on December 22, 1959, in the Guilford College area. He graduated from Western Guilford High School in 1978 and received a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Eddie was an athlete his entire life. In high school, he played both basketball and baseball and held the career record for assists for the men's varsity basketball team. He went on to play third base in baseball for the Tar Heels, where he earned a letter in 1981. He was drafted by the Red Sox during his time at UNC and went on to play third base and short stop for the Winston-Salem Red Sox. He received accolades from many great baseball legends including Ted Williams, who said Eddie "hit the longest home run he had ever seen in that part of the ball park." After his baseball career, Eddie had a successful occupation as a medical sales representative. He was known by his colleagues and the doctors he called on as very personable and upbeat. Eddie married Dana Joyce in June of 1990. His daughter was born in December of 1994. He was always kind-hearted and compassionate. He would serve meals at urban ministries and was a frequent philanthropist. He was always humble about these qualities and never expected praise for his generosity. Eddie's first priority was always his family. He served as a loving husband to his wife, Dana, and a kind father to his only daughter, Jamie. He patiently sat through many of Jamie's dance recitals and only complained on occasion. When he was not spending time with his family, he enjoyed attending the Spears YMCA every morning, running, working in his yard, fishing, and pulling for the Tar Heels. In addition to these hobbies, Eddie was a talented golfer and had a handicap of 1 when he was a member of the Cardinal Golf and Country Club. Most important in Eddie's life was his Christian faith. Eddie was a follower of Jesus and regularly attended Westover Church. He let his faith guide him in love and empathy his entire life. One of Eddie's most notable traits was his quick sense of humor. He was always lighthearted and inviting, and was able to make anyone laugh. He had a bright smile and a gentle personality. His sense of humor stayed intact through the majority of the progression of the Alzheimer's disease. Eddie participated in several clinical trials and studies after his diagnosis with early onset Alzheimer's at the young age of 53 in hopes of getting researchers one step closer to finding a cure to an extremely cruel disease. His wife was his sole caretaker throughout the duration of his disease. Eddie is survived by his wife, Dana Waynick; daughter, Jamie Waynick; mother, Bonnie Waynick; sister Kathy Young; and brothers, Charlie and Thomas Waynick. He is preceded by his father, Howard Waynick; and grandparents, George and Kate Ferrell and C.H. and Ruby Waynick. A service will be held at Westover Church on Thursday, April 5 at 4 p.m. in his honor. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, who were gracious to Eddie and his family in the very end, K-Love radio, which provided comfort to Eddie and Dana upon progression of his disease, and the Spears YMCA, which he frequented up until a week before he passed away. Eddie will be sorely missed by his family and friends, but they find peace in knowing that he is now healed. Gate City Cremations is serving the Waynick family.