Wayne J. Stringer

Wayne Jackson Stringer, known to family and friends as Jack, was born in Dickson, Tennessee, to the late Rev. William Harley Stringer and Carlie (Stokes) Stringer. At 18, Jack moved to Michigan, where he began working a small machine job at RFP until November 27, 1972, when he was hired at General Motors. He spent the rest of his career there as a Heat Treat Technician until his retirement in 2002.
Jack met the love of his life, the late Carolyn Jean Bean, around 1964 when she was working as a carhop at a small restaurant on Michigan Avenue. Legend has it that when her friend pointed out the cute guy with one of his many cars - probably his Chevelle - Carol looked out the window and said, "Yeah, I'm going to marry him." And that she did. They married on August 6, 1966, and built a beautiful life together filled with love, laughter, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and countless memories. They shared all of life's seasons - the happy, hard, easy, and wonderful - until Carolyn's passing in 2014.
Jack loved to tinker - whether in his garage, garden, or around the house, he was always fixing something. If he wasn't working on a project or sitting on his front porch, he and Carolyn were likely on the road, traveling across the United States with one of their beloved dogs - Prince, PJ, or Mr. Doolittle. Their truck was always packed to the brim, with a few stops at Walmart or Cracker Barrel along the way. One of their favorite destinations was Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, nestled in the Smoky Mountains - a place that always felt like home to Jack.
He was a good, honest man - a tough cookie who loved fiercely. Stubborn and strong-willed, yet soft and gentle when it mattered most. Jack was always ready to lend a hand whenever his family needed him. He had a lifelong passion for cars - especially anything sporting a Chevy Bow Tie - and he never missed a family holiday meal. He loved knowing what was on the menu and often made his own "suggestions" for what should be added, usually while still finishing his plate from the current feast.
Jack is survived by his three children: Patricia Jean (Kenny) Hylton, Brenda Sue Stringer, and Richard Wayne Stringer. He was preceded in death by Baby Boy Stringer.
He is also survived by his grandchildren: Philip (Bianca) Maggio, Derek (Kristine) Stringer, Brad (Michelle) Maggio, Christopher Hylton, Nicole (Andrew) Logan, Destinee (Chad) Chamlee, Brittany (Bill) Foder, Shelby Stringer, and Jacob Hylton; and by many great-grandchildren: Isabella, Ridley, Wyatt, Atticus, Zoey, Saybre, Everleigh, Demi, Riley, Memphis, Oliver, Emerson, Wynona, and Tillie.
Jack is also survived by his brother-in-law Steve (Sherry) Bean, and sisters-in-law Debbie (Gary) Moss and Rhonda (Larry Platman) Edwards, along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. W.H. and Carlie Inez Stringer; his beloved wife, Carolyn Jean Stringer; his infant son; his father- and mother-in-law, Sam and Jean Bean; his brothers, Bill, Clyde, and George (Gene); his sisters, Gladys, Evelyn, and Mildred; and his brothers-in-law Gaylon Bean and Sam Bean, and sister-in-law Shirley Bean.
Jack's love for his family, his stories, his humor, and his larger-than-life presence will forever live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.