Thomas Wayne Eidson

Thomas Wayne Eidson, age 82, passed away on Saturday, October 23, 2021. Born in Greenbrier, TN in 1938, Wayne was the son of the late Thomas Burton Eidson and Rebecca Bussell Eidson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Ronnie Bussell Stenson. After moving with his family to Greenville, NC, Wayne graduated from Greenville High School, where he played basketball and, his favorite, baseball. It was at Greenville High School that he met his future wife and love of his life, Lois Brown. Wayne was the first in his family to attend college.  After high school, he attended N.C. State University for a year before taking a break to enlist in the armed services. He served his country proudly in the United States Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, and after two years of jumping out of, what he referred to as perfectly good airplanes, received an honorable discharge. After his military service, Wayne attended the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, graduating in 1965 with a degree in Business. A fervent Tarheel fan and life-long Rams Club member, Wayne cheered on his alma mater from the sideline or from his favorite chair in the den with passion and dedication. In 1967, Wayne and a fellow UNC grad co-founded Lan-Way Coatings, a commercial painting company. A few years later he bought out his partner, changed the focus of the business to commercial roofing and changed the business’ name to Lan-Way Roofing Co., Inc. Wayne spent more than 50 years devoted to his company, which specializes in roof repair and replacement for commercial and industrial customers across the Carolinas and Virginia. Retirement was not a concept known to Wayne. He came to the office daily, steering the company through good times and bad, never backing down from a challenge. Helping him face these daily challenges for 40 years was his Corporate Secretary and Office Manager, Donna Mashburn. Upon Donna’s retirement, Rebecca Zorbas assumed this responsibility and continued providing the high level of support and organization Wayne and the company were accustomed to and needed. He took pride working alongside his son, Brownie for the past 25 years, and additionally, in cultivating his employees’ talents and in helping them succeed at Lan-Way and beyond. Many former employees went on to successful careers in the industry, starting their own roofing contractor and roof consulting companies. Wayne always said the most important things in his life were his faith, his family and his friends. His steadfast dedication to service towards his church, his family, his community and his country are part of the legacy he leaves behind. Wayne was an active longtime member of New Hope Baptist Church of Raleigh, where he served on and chaired numerous committees and was ordained as a Deacon in 1985. In his spare time, he loved fishing with family and friends at the coast or any body of fresh water larger than a mudpuddle, and he enjoyed many afternoons knocking a ball around a golf course, any golf course, with his buddies. A loving husband, he doted on his wife of 63 years, making sure she knew every day that he loved her with no reservation. Throughout his life he was a generous and devoted father to his two children, supporting them both in their athletic, academic and professional pursuits. Later in his life, and much to his delight, he became a proud and loving grandfather. In addition to his involvement in various professional associations, Wayne served as a member of the Meredith College Board of Trustees from 1985-1991. 

Surviving are his beloved wife of 63 years, Lois Brown Eidson, son, Thomas Wayne Eidson, Jr., his fiancé Tracy Dew Bissett, of Rocky Mount, NC; and daughter, Carol Eidson Sherwood (Chris) of Earlysville, VA.  and his sister, Becky Salamone. He has 5 grandchildren: Barrett, Lorna, and Temple Eidson; Kate and Tilman Sherwood, and 2 future step-grandchildren, Oliver and Finley Bissett. 

A service to celebrate Wayne’s life will be held on Wednesday, November 10th 2021 at 2:00 pm at New Hope Baptist Church, 4301 Louisburg Road, Raleigh NC 27604. Officiating the service are Dr. Richard Childress, Dr. Randy Carter and Reverend Brian Lockamy. 

Visitation will be from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm prior to the service in the church parlor at New Hope Baptist Church. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to New Hope Baptist Church Raleigh NC, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital [stjude.org] or a charity of your choosing.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas Wayne Eidson, please visit our floral store.