Elmer "Wayne" Thompson, 60, of Austin, passed away Monday, January 13, 2025.  He was born March 20, 1964 in Portsmouth, Virginia to the late Clarence Elmer and Patsy Juanita (Teague) Thompson.  Wayne was an active member of Jacksonville United Methodist Church and was a devout Methodist throughout his life. Always the first to volunteer to man the grill at church events, he instilled the love of Christ in his children and was always willing to talk about his faith with anyone who would listen.

Family and Christ were the cornerstones of Wayne's life. He loved his wife and children more than anything and was beyond proud of his 5 grandchildren. Throughout his life, Wayne was an avid baseball player. His baseball career began in high school and extended through college where he was a catcher for the Memphis State Tigers for 3 years. He was called to the big leagues to play for the New York Yankees, but Wayne ultimately made the decision that family was more important. He continued coaching his children's youth baseball and softball teams and was lovingly known as "Coach Wayne" to the majority of those who grew up playing for him and knew him.

Wayne was a people person and was always just a phone call away for anyone who needed him or even just wanted a friendly chat with someone who could talk for hours. Wayne's passing comes at a great loss to his family and he will be missed more than words can express.

In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by his brother, Bruce Thompson.  Those left to cherish his memory and to miss him dearly are his wife, Dena Thompson; children, Morgan Pittman (Logan) and Weston Thompson (Morgan); stepdaughter, Samantha Brown (Matthew); five grandchildren, Nora Brown, Reese Pittman, Lawson Brown, Owen Pittman and Cooper Thompson, as well as numerous extended family members and friends.

Visitation will be 2:00-3:00 p.m., Sunday, January 19, 2025 at First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville with memorial service to follow at 3:00 p.m.  Pastor Melanie Tubbs will be officiating.  Honorary pallbearers will be Dylan Barker, Wayne Rhinehart, Jerry McFarlin, Mike Walthall, Logan Pittman and Matthew Brown.  If you would like to make a donation in memory of Wayne Thompson, the family suggests St. Jude Children's Hospital,  - https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html.  For floral arrangements, the family will be working with Double R Florist and Gifts in Jacksonville, 501-982-3125 or https://www.doublerflowers.com/sympathy.php.  Arrangements by Moore's Cabot Funeral Home, 501-843-5816.