Exceeding Expectations

Kannapolis of the 1950s was a good place to raise a family. In addition to steady work,there were quality schools and recreational activities. It seemed there was a thriving churchon every corner. The recently-rebuilt Kannapolis YMCA claimed the largest membership underone roof in the world, and provided wholesome sports activities for both men and womenmembers. Kannapolis sports teams and bands were known throughout North Carolina.For Claude Wayne, however, a young man used to outdoor farm work and to roaming thehills and valleys of Wilkes County, the mill work was monotonous and confining. After a littlemore than a year, he and Juanita moved their few possessions to Champion, a small town offHighway 421 in the southwestern part of Wilkes County. There he secured work raising chickenson shares with the farm’s owner, and also found time to raise his own flock in order to put somemoney away.During the three years they lived in Champion, from February 1952 through February 1955,the first two children were born to Claude and Juanita Wayne: Delmar (Claude, Jr.) in 1952, andSylvia in 1954. Both children were born at the hospital in nearby Boone in Watauga County.After three years, Claude and Juanita Wayne were ready to return to Kannapolis. Claudewas not ready, however, to return to the textile industry and “indoor work.” He purchased aportable sawmill he could move from one location to another in the woods. Sawmill work wasphysically demanding and somewhat seasonal, but Claude made a living for his family, savedsome money to purchase a home of his own, and enjoyed the work in the forests. He gained agood reputation in the trade, applying the principles his father taught him. Later, he taught hisown sons the same ethical rules: “Be honest and fair in all your dealings,” and “Whatever youtell a person, you’ve got to do it even if it takes the shirt off your back.”The last half of the 1950s was a happy time for Claude and Juanita Wayne. They lived ina rented house on the Goodman farm, and had enough space for a garden of their own. SonEric was born on April 20, 1959, in nearby Iredell County, and their youngest son Keith was alsoborn in Iredell County the following year, on September 8, 1960. As the younger boys grew,they acquired a strong work ethic from their father and older brother Delmar, in addition tolearning how to safely operate a wide range of tools and saw milling equipment. With theirbackground, it was natural that they found themselves looking for outdoor work when the sawmilling business was slow.Keith credits both his parents with contributing to the character of the Wayne children.From their father, the children learned their work ethic and the independence and self-reliance12 EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS