Wayne Oliver Fairchild, 96, a long-time resident of Nampa, Idaho, passed away at home, Tuesday, April 23, 2019, of cause's incident to age. Wayne was born (he would claim with a turkey drumstick in his hand) Thanksgiving Day, November 30, 1922 to Oliver Edmond Fairchild and Bertha Eggers in Lewellen, Garden, Nebraska. He spent his early life in the Lewellen area until his mother passed away in 1935. After living in various places in Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska, Wayne and his father settled in Nampa, Idaho, where he would meet his future wife, Lorraine Geisler, one day while picking peas. They were married on June 20, 1942. Their marriage was later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 8, 1959. The focus of Wayne's life was his wife Lorraine and their children: Terry Wayne (Nancy) Fairchild, Diane (Lynn) Christiansen of Boise, Loanne (Terry) Adler of Caldwell, Kevin Jon Fairchild of Nampa; their 17 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren. Throughout the years, he attended numerous events and activities for his children, grand, great-grand and great-great- grandchildren, always flashing his ready smile and congratulating them on a job well done. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wayne held various callings including ward executive secretary, ward clerk, Cub- and Scoutmaster, and temple worker in the Boise Idaho Temple. Some of his favorite activities from church service were campouts with the scouts, and helping the boys achieve badges and ranks. He served a full-time mission with his wife in the Denver Colorado Mission from 1986-1987, serving in Fort Collins, Colorado and Guymon, Oklahoma where they made many friends. Wayne served on the battleship U.S.S. Maryland from 1943 to 1945 during World War 2 as a night cook; his battle station was on a 5" gun hoist. He survived the war unscathed even as the ship suffered a torpedo strike at Saipan and was further damaged by Kamikaze attacks at Leyte Gulf and Okinawa. Before his Navy service, he worked drilling wells in Idaho, Oregon and Washington and helped weld together Liberty Ships in Portland. He also spent time in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Idaho building camping areas, improving trails, fighting fires and helping reforest parts of Idaho. After the war, he worked for the Nampa Water Department, retiring in 1983 as the Superintendent. He kept busy after retirement with various family activities, volunteering with church and other groups including the Warhawk Air Museum where he talked to around 10,000 kids over a 12-year period about his experiences during World War 2. In addition to his story telling-prowess, Wayne was skilled at carpentry, plumbing, landscaping, automotive maintenance and many other activities. It was common knowledge in the neighborhood that he was the go-to guy if you had a problem with your house or vehicle. He was always willing to help anyone in need, whether they be family, church members, neighbors or complete strangers. They were not strangers for long for he quickly became friends with everyone he met; leaving a lasting impression many never forgot. Everyone he talked to walked away with a smile on their face after meeting him. Besides his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years Lorraine; his sons Terry and Darwin G (infant); his daughter Judy Ann (infant); daughter-in-law Nancy; sister Wilma Marie; brother Charles Jon; half-brother Michael Lee Fairchild; and one great-grandchild, Jessica Dawn Fairchild. Viewings will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2019 from 5 to 7 PM at the Zeyer Funeral Chapel located at 83 North Midland Boulevard, Nampa, ID 83651 and again on Monday, April 29, from 10 to 10:45 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 6111 Birch Ln, Nampa, ID 83687. Funeral Services to be held on Monday, April 29, starting at 11 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 6111 Birch Ln, Nampa, ID 83687. Internment at Kohlerlawn Cemetery to follow. Those wishing to make donations may do so to their favorite children's charity or to the Warhawk Air Museum either online at https://warhawkairmuseum.org/giving/donate/ or by check. Please make checks payable to "Warhawk Air Museum" and send to 201 Municipal Drive, Nampa, ID 83687.
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