Donald "Big Daddy" Wayt's Obituary
Donald Floyd Wayt “Big Daddy” was born July 24, 1954 to Duane and Reva Allen Wayt in Longview, TX and moved to Heaven on July 3, 2021.
He was a 1972 graduate of White Oak High School and played football for the Roughnecks all four years. He was selected All-State in football and was a member of the 1972 Track and Field State Champion Team where he threw the shot put.
After high school he began a professional wrestling career. He wrestled world-wide and obtained numerous titles including Pacific Coast Heavy Weight Champion, Pacific Coast Tag Team Champion and Canadian Tag Team Title. In March of 1975, while wresting in Amarillo, TX, he met the love of his life Darlene Proffitt and they married after only 9 days.
In 1998, he began 20+ years as Chaplain at the Billy Moore Correctional Facility in Overton, TX. Don’s gentle spirit could look beyond a man’s past mistakes and encourage him to achieve his dreams and goals.
Upon retirement from corrections, he moved back to his beloved White Oak where he had the privilege to work and coach at his alma mater. This was a dream come true- coaching football on the same field where he played his high school career. Anyone who knew Don knew he loved his Roughnecks and Friday nights were always centered around Roughneck Stadium.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Syndi.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Darlene, daughter and son in law, Stephanie and Bill Frazier of White Oak, his granddaughter, Miranda, his grandson, Caleb, and his step-grandson Josh. Don is also survived by his brother in law Wayne Proffitt of Memphis, TX; sister in law and husband Debbie and Ron Teague of Union Grove, TX; sister in law and husband Sherry and Bob Tribble of Memphis, TX; aunts June Perryman, Peggy Jo Schroder, Pat Wayt, and Shirley Wayt; 12 nieces and nephews; numerous cousins, friends, players, and students.
Visitation will be Friday, July 9, 2021 from 6-8pm at Rader Funeral Home in Longview. A home going celebration will be held Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 10 am at LifeBridge Christian Center in Longview Pastor Tom McDaniels and Pastor Tracy Harris officiating. The family is asking everyone to wear their WO gear (maroon grey and white) and celebrate the “power of WO”.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to be made in Don’s name to White Oak FCA. Please send to White Oak ISD and reference White Oak ISD-FCA. For more information, please contact Superintendent Brian Gray at [email protected].
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