Raymond Allan Wayda

1961 - 2022

Wayda, Jr, Raymond Allan

July 10, 1961 - March 6, 2022

Raymond Allan Wayda, Jr., 60, of Thurmond, NC, passed away peacefully in his home on March 6, 2022. Born in Trenton, NJ, he grew up in Hamilton, before moving south to the Carolinas. He believed, above all else, his Christian duty was to protect the vulnerable, whether such be his fellow man, any species of animal, or the environment. He devoted his career to the holistic education of children through the Girl Scouts and to helping the vulnerable elderly and other-abled populations remain in their homes through various public services, such as Veterans Administration, Senior Services, and Cap-C programs. In recent years, he worked with FEMA, finding deployment to multiple natural disasters in the US and abroad a natural extension of his duty to serve his fellow man. He spent his life caring for and giving to others in whatever way he could, from being an animal advocate to mentoring and counseling work with local churches and non-profits to helping his neighbors in need. Raymond treasured camping, vacationing on cruises, attending music festivals, and hobby-farming with his beloved wife, Jo. He is remembered for his open, loving, and forgiving heart and his magnificent smile. He was the best son, brother, father, friend, and husband anyone could ever have asked for. Preceded in death by his parents Janet and Raymond A. Wayda, Sr., he is survived by his wife, Jo deJournette, of the home; children Margaret Wayda-Aguero and husband Stephen; son Elijah Wayda; sisters and brothers-in-law Lynn and John Pesarini of Florida, Colleen and Jeff Northcutt of Connecticut, Sharon and Sonny Bugarin of South Carolina, Lori and Pete Leland of New Jersey; and loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. All agree, to know him was to love him, and his beautiful smile will never be forgotten.

Funeral masses will be held on April 10, 2022, at St. Stephens Catholic Church, Elkin, NC, at 9 a.m. and on April 24, 2022, at St. Paul's Parish, Princeton, NJ, at 11:30 a.m.

Donations to honor his memory may be made to Shiba Inu Rescue of DC, Skydog Sanctuary of Prineville, OR, Gentle Giants Rescue of Mount Airy, MD, or the animal charity of your choice.