Wayne Thomason

Carl “Wayne” Thomason passed away on August 8th, 2025. Wayne was born in Roanoke on July 21, 1953, to James “Herman” Thomason and Celia “Rachel” Simmons Thomason, who preceded him in death, as did his brother Jimmy Thomason, and sister Evelyn Salmon.

Wayne is survived his son Patrick and his partner, Rachel Arrington, whom Wayne lovingly referred to as his daughter-in-law, and their pup Riley, who was the absolute apple of Wayne’s eye; ex-wife Lisa Thomason, with whom he maintained a caring and supportive relationship throughout the years; sister Linda Gillespie; multiple nieces and nephews, other extended family, and many friends.

Wayne took early retirement from Petroleum Marketers, Inc. (PMI, formerly APB Whiting) due to health reasons. He made good friends during his time at PMI, and remained in close contact with many of them until his death. With his affable personality, he never met a stranger and would easily make a new friend in a grocery store line or doctor’s waiting room.

In his younger years, Wayne was an avid hunter and fisherman. As he got older, his enjoyment of the outdoors changed, and he preferred sitting quietly in the woods to simply watch deer and wildlife around him; the memories and an occasional picture were his trophies. Throughout his life, he could point to any field he passed and recount how many deer he’d spotted there at any point! He was so proud of Patrick and Rachel as they purchased land, cleared roads and built a pond for him to fish, and he loved riding through their property with them.

The family is grateful to Wayne’s medical providers, particularly Bethany Casey, PA, and the employees at Carilion Clinic Family Medicine-Colonial, for their excellent care over the years; the palliative care/hospice team at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital; and the many specialists who cared for him. Special thanks to Good Samaritan Hospice, whose support of Wayne and the family during his last weeks was invaluable, and especially his nurse Amber, social worker Erin, and Chaplain Bobby. Their care, empathy, understanding and patience extended far beyond expectations. A special thanks also to Rickey McDaniel for always being Wayne’s vacation partner and sitting with him many hours during his final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Good Samaritan Hospice.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home. Per Wayne's request, there will not be a service.

Arrangements by Conner-Bowman Funeral Home, 62 VA Market Place Drive, Rocky Mount, VA 24151.