Wayne Anthony Zurenda

1951 - 2025

Wayne Anthony Zurenda

January 25, 1951 - March 21, 2025

Spartanburg, South Carolina - Wayne Anthony Zurenda, 74, husband of Susan Beckham Zurenda, died on March 21, 2025, from cancer. Born in Hampton County, South Carolina, on January 25, 1951, he was the younger son of the late Alma Rose Bowers Zurenda and Floyd Bernard Zurenda, Sr.

Wayne graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in Journalism and an M.Ed. in English. He retired from a 30-year career teaching English at Technical College of the Lowcountry. During this time, he also served as Administrator for five years at the Hampton Campus. In 2005, Wayne relocated to Spartanburg, SC, to live near his future wife Susie and continued teaching English as an adjunct faculty at several colleges in the area. He also worked as a Marketing Communications Specialist for five years at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System.

A highlight of Wayne's working life occurred when Barbara Streisand hired him to be Nick Nolte's Southern dialect coach during the filming of The Prince of Tides in Beaufort, SC.

During his career at Technical College of the Lowcountry, Wayne was named Educator of the Year (Administrator/Manager Category), Educator of the Year (Teaching Category), and received the Governor's Distinguished Professor Award.

He served as president of the Hampton County Rotary Club, Hampton-Varnville Jaycees, Hampton County Friends of the Library, and Hampton County USC Alumni Association. He also served on the Beaufort Regional Film Commission, as Relay for Life Team Captain for TCL, at-large board member for the Lowcountry Council of Governments, and Community Profile Editor for Hampton's "SC Great Towns" program. He was a volunteer fireman for the Hampton Fire Department for 10 years.

In addition to his wife, Wayne is survived by his brother, Floyd Bernard Zurenda, Jr.; two stepdaughters; six step-grandchildren; two nieces and a nephew; one great-niece and one great-nephew.

A member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Spartanburg, Wayne served as lector, intercessor, usher, and was also a devoted participant in the annual Church of the Advent Adult Mission Team.

A memorial service to celebrate Wayne's life will take place at the Episcopal Church of the Advent on Thursday, March 27, at 2:00 pm, officiated by The Reverend Paula Griffin and The Reverend Christiana (Christie) Walton. Committal will follow in the Cleveland Bell Tower. The family will receive friends immediately after the committal in the Parish and Community Life Center.

Memorials may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Advent, or to the Adult Mission Team at the church, 141 Advent Street, Spartanburg, SC, 29302. The J M Dunbar Funeral Home and Crematory is overseeing arrangements.