Wayne Commie McLean, (86), of Leesburg, Va., passed away on February 19, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Wayne was born to Benjamin Clarence McLean and Sadye Belle Mangum McLean on January 17, 1938 in Oxford, North Carolina. He grew up outside of Richmond, Virginia on Eanes Lane and was a standout multiple sport athlete in baseball and football at Varina High School, earning him induction into the Varina High School Hall of Fame as an athlete from the Class of 1956. Wayne received an athletic scholarship to play baseball and football at Hampden Sydney College, where he received his bachelor's degree with an emphasis in business in 1960. In 1961, Wayne was scouted and signed by the Detroit Tigers to play professional baseball as a catcher, which he did for several years including with the Durham Bulls and the Duluth-Superior Dukes. After leaving professional baseball, Wayne worked for Texaco over 20 years, finally stepping down to start his own successful petroleum and home heating oil business, WACO, Inc. in the early 1980's. His skills as an entrepreneur included multiple real estate developments in Northern Virginia, all of which reflected his excellence and acumen in the field of business.

Though he wore many hats professionally, Wayne's favorite was being Dad to his three daughters, Kathy, April, and Laurie, who were his greatest source of love, pride, and joy. Wayne married his high school sweetheart, Janet French McLean in 1960, and together they raised their daughters in Richmond and Northern Virginia. His love for the outdoors was evident in his lifelong enjoyment of hunting with friends and family, most memorably, quail hunting with his loyal dog-companion "Buster". He also enjoyed decades of riding, showing, and training registered quarter horses, culminating in leading "Zippos Social Bar" to become the AQHA Two-Year Old Grand Champion of the Year. He loved playing golf and range-shooting with his brother, Ben, and other family members and did so regularly until recent years.

Wayne gave his heart to Christ at a very young age and grew up attending Immanuel Baptist Church in Richmond for decades, where he also served on the board of elders and taught Sunday School. After moving to Northern Virginia, Wayne became a member of Leesburg Community Church. His love for the Lord and his confidence in His sustaining power were unshakeable throughout his life.

Wayne is survived by his daughters, Katherine McMullen and her husband Rick, April Moore and her husband Todd, and Laurie Hahn, and her husband Callan, his younger brother Benjamin Clarence McLean, Jr. and his wife Lois, four grandchildren, Nicholas Alexander, Demetrius Alexander, Marshall Hahn, and Griffin Moore, four great-grandchildren, Jude Alexander, Arrow Alexander, Eilan Alexander, and Caris Alexander, his nephews, Neil McLean, Matthew McLean and his wife Sodana, and Nathan McLean and his wife Jen, as well as many beloved cousins and great-nephews and a great-niece. He will also be dearly missed by his faithful friend of many years, Jim Muse.

A memorial service will be held at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel, Leesburg, VA 20175 on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. and a public graveside service will be held at Westhampton Memorial Park, 10000 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA 23238 on Monday, February 26, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.

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Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch from Feb. 24 to Feb. 25, 2024.