Wayne LaRue Lore

Wayne LaRue Lore, age 95, of Fort Washington, Maryland, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026, at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.

Born in Millville, Pennsylvania during the Great Depression, Wayne was the son of LaRue “Rudy” Lore and Edna (Hunsinger) Lore. He was raised on his family’s dairy farm in Unityville, Pennsylvania, where more than 100 acres of farmland shaped his strong work ethic and lifelong sense of responsibility. He graduated from Hughesville High School, in Hughesville, PA in 1948.

At just 17 years old, with his parents’ permission, Wayne enlisted in the United States Navy. He proudly served his country for more than 22 years, retiring in July 1970, as a Chief Petty Officer. During his naval career, Wayne was deployed aboard five ships—USS Shannon, USS Hazelwood, USS Herbert J. Thomas, USS McKean, and USS Chukawan—and served during both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He also took part in the Cuban Blockade in 1962.

Wayne met the love of his life, Brenda, at a country square dance, where they were introduced to each other by longtime friends, Gordon and Shirley. After a two-year courtship, they were married on June 4, 1960, beginning a devoted partnership that lasted 58 years until Brenda’s passing. Together, they raised seven children while navigating multiple military deployments and relocations from/to Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, California, and Maryland.

After retiring from the Navy, Wayne and Brenda settled permanently in Fort Washington, Maryland. Wayne began a second career with the United States Postal Service at National Airport, where he worked for 35 years until retiring in 2005.

Wayne was known and deeply loved by family, friends, and coworkers alike. He was always ready to lend a hand, offer a ride, or welcome others as family. He especially enjoyed watching football with Brenda—cheering loudly for the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers and Navy. During summers and Christmas holiday seasons, our family often spent time visiting all of our extended family in Pennsylvania, and many fond family memories were made at home with Wayne grilling steaks, burning hot dogs and hamburgers; all while enjoying his beer, listening to classic country music, and helping his and the neighborhood children roast marshmallows. During the summer, prior to him going to work on his late shift, he would take his children, and his children’s friends, to the pool on base for a few hours of swimming. On his days off, we were able to swim as long as we wanted and would walk over to the NCO club where he would treat us to whatever we wanted off the menu. Wayne was a very generous man, always providing anything that was needed for his wife and children. He was also a dedicated, Ford man and loved his cars; they were always his prized possessions.

Wayne was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Brenda J. Lore; his parents; his son, William Lore; his brother, Stanley “Pete” Lore; his sister, Bessie “Dutch” Arter and son-in-law, Nathan “Doug” Schultz.

He is survived by his children: Donna Schultz of Fort Washington, MD and Muncy, PA; Gale Walton (Dennis) of Leonardtown, MD; Wayne Lore II of Temple Hills, MD; Kelley Beland (Scott) of White Plains, MD; Kandy Lore (fiancé John Kalin) of Aynor, SC; and Lynn Smithburger (David) of Dunkirk, MD. He is also survived by his brother, Clarence “Brig” Lore of Unityville, PA.

Wayne was a loving grandfather to William Adams (Gina), Jeffrey Walton (Kelly), Darlene Eischen (Brian), Stacey Merchant (Brandon), Scott Beland II, David Smithburger Jr. (fiancée Deanna Goldberg), Myranda Smithburger, and Jessica Guinter; and a cherished great-grandfather to Daniel Adams, Nathan Adams, Joseph Archazki, Hunter Walton, Caden Walton, Ethan Truman, Destinee Mertens (Dawson), AJ McKenzie, Ember Eischen, Aanyah Walker, Maycee Guinter, August Guinter, Ashlynn Merchant, and Logan Merchant.

Wayne’s legacy of service, devotion to family, and quiet generosity will be remembered always.

“Fair Seas and Following Winds”