Wayne Cushman, CCSD Employee, Loses Battle With Cancer

Editor's note: the following obituary was submitted by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Hasting Wyman (Wayne) Cushman, Jr. 1943—2017.

Wayne was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on Sept. 30, 1943. He was the son of Minnie Rowlette Cushman and Hasting Wyman Cushman, Sr. The family moved to Aiken, SC., when Wayne was two. He attended St. Mary Help of Christians School and Aiken High School. His Southern Baptist upbringing sometimes put him at odds with the nuns, once, for punishment he was placed in the basement where the nuns forgot about him until his parents came looking for him.

His refuge was the library and he read every book in the St. Mary Help School. He continued to be a voracious reader and was so recognizable at Barnes and Noble that the baristas at Starbucks would have his tall mocha waiting for him every Saturday. He passed his love of reading to his children: Mike and Erin. His grandchildren relished him reading to them and always had a pile of books ready for him to read. He was a tall, lean man and loved to play basketball, which he did for the elementary and high school. So intense was his game that he broke both wrists running into the gym wall. He would often boast that his waist was the same size at the age of 73 as it was when he was 18.

Like all good Southern men, he loved his mama dearly and was fortunate to have her for his entire life. He adored her cooking and never found anyone who could surpass her mac n’ cheese. He always looked out for his little sister, Jenny. Once, Wayne and a friend convinced Jenny that if she kissed a boy she would become pregnant.

Wayne enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1961 and served until 1964 and was honorably discharged. He is considered a Vietnam veteran, even though he did not see combat duty. The ships he served on supplied the troops on the ground with necessary supplies. Upon his discharge, he enrolled in Augusta College. In Augusta, Wayne met his best friend of 47 years, Robert Chambers. Robert and Wayne were “partners in crime” and lived together during their bachelor days. Robert and Wayne were always on the hunt for great barbecue, never finding any to equal Shealy’s in SC.

When he came to Atlanta for work, his 58 Ford conked out on him in Madison and he had to sell his TV to get the car repaired. He helped build Colony Square, working as part of the “high steel” group. He continued his career with the Atlanta News Agency and then Electro-Magnetic Sciences. His final employment was with the Cherokee County School System for 16 years. He loved his job and was proud to supply the school system with necessary materials.

Wayne was married to Leslie Thomas Cushman for over 37 years and he always managed to support Leslie in all of her volunteer activities. He endured her 30 years of PTA activities and helped out when he could. They have two children: Michael Thomas Cushman and Erin Cushman Jones. Wayne ensured that Erin and Michael attended all of their extracurricular activities; basketball, cross country, baseball, band and dance. It was Wayne that took them and was their greatest cheerleader.

Wayne and Leslie were blessed with four beautiful grandchildren: Ethan, Caitlyn, Dorian and Emma. Wayne is survived by his mother, Minnie R. Cushman, and sister, Jenny Lind Cushman McRae. His son-in-law Ches Jones, brother-in-law Dave McRae, and brother-in-law Pete Thomas were supportive and helpful during his life and illness.

Wayne loved his nephews: John Culbreath and Travis Thomas, and his niece: Emily Thomas Leymann. He was preceded in death by his father, Hasting Wyman Cushman, Sr. and nephew, Rob Culbreath. He will be missed by his many friends and associates. His family will survive, but with a very large void in their lives. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to: The Can Hope, PO Box 3694, Aiken, SC 29802, can-hope.org.

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