Wayne Elliott Thomson

Wayne Thomson, 85 of Gainesville, VA, passed away at the UVA Haymarket Medical Center in Haymarket, VA, on March 26, 2023. He died from complications of congestive heart failure. Wayne was a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather. And those titles hardly scratch the surface of the depth of each of those relationships. His devotion, dedication and love continue to be constant realities for his family. He was kind and gracious, accepting and forgiving, and a true hero to those who knew him best. And the lives of his children and their children and their children’s children are forever blessed because of his love, his lessons, his faith, and his stories. And the story wouldn’t be complete without mentioning his unreserved love for any dog he met, fed, or homed (and there were lots), and every dog loved him – even when he didn’t have treats in his pocket. Wayne was born and raised in Avalon, Pennsylvania where he attended school and went on to receive his B.S in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. He worked as an Engineer for fifty years, serving at Melpar/Raytheon, and then as a contractor for the USDA Forest Service. Wayne was highly respected and esteemed by hosts of co-workers and colleagues. He was known to be a visionary and a mentor. In the 1990s he came up with a roadmap for automating Human Resources, and the software he worked to develop is still in use now across the federal government, not just in the USDA Forest Service. A close colleague noted, “He was famous for his Epistles. He would write lengthy dissertations about the day and overwhelm us with his passion and logic. One couldn’t argue with his insight and his facts.” It’s also been said that one of the best parts of working with “Mr. Wayne” was taking afternoon walks to escape the office, get some exercise, brag about kids, and enjoy frozen yogurt. Wayne was a self-taught and skilled draftsman and builder, sometimes renovating and sometimes adding memorable additions to his various homes throughout the years. He was a big believer in eating meat and potatoes and staying away from all vegetables. He was a quintessential host who loved to throw parties (and do the Chicken Dance). He was brilliant. And he was always ready to make a comment or share a story that would have everyone laughing. Wayne’s Christian faith was a cornerstone of his life and for the last 11 years he was an active member at River of Grace Lutheran Church where he served with outreach and fellowship events and spearheaded a construction project to purchase and install an elevator in order to make the church building accessible. Wayne is preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Vera; his sisters LaVerne, and Joy; his dear brother- and sister-in law, Alex and Iris of Vienna; and many other beloved family members and friends. Survivors include his children, Connie, of Manassas, VA, and his son, Steve, of Clifton, VA; his brothers, Roger, of Pittsburgh, PA and Craig, of Pittsburgh, PA; five granddaughters and three great-granddaughters; and many dear nieces and nephews. A visitation for Wayne will be held in the chapel on Thursday, March 30 at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street in Manassas, VA, from 6:00-8:00pm. And a Joint Memorial Service – honoring both Wayne and his wife Vera who died on April 1, 2020, will be held on Saturday, April 1, at River of Grace Lutheran Church, 15012 Dumfries Road, Manassas, VA, at 3:00pm. Memorial contributions may be mailed to River of Grace Lutheran Church, 15012 Dumfries Road, Manassas, VA 20112 or given online at www.rognova.com/donate; or given to your local animal shelter.

Wayne Elliott Thomson

May 16, 1937 - March 26, 2023