Ralph Wayne, a former anchor for KFDA NewsChannel 10 and a former member of the Texas House of Representatives, passed away at the age of 92 in Austin, as reported by NewsChannel 10. His legacy ties deeply to both the fields of news broadcasting and politics, with a career that spanned across several decades.
His birth was on December 14, 1932, in Wellington, Texas. Wayne completed his education with a Bachelor of Arts from West Texas A&M University at the age of 20. Following his service in the U.S. Army Reserves during the Korean conflict, he returned to the Panhandle, where he dedicated eight years as a news director and anchor for the station, and KFDA-AM radio in the 1950s. During this time, he also worked as an assignment correspondent for CBS, "Wayne also served as an assignment correspondent for the CBS network," according to his obituary detailed by MySanAntonio.com.
Moving beyond his journalism career, Wayne took his place in the political arena, securing a seat in the Texas House of Representatives in November 1964. "Ralph's legacy and impact on Texas was expansive through his work in government, non-profit service and business and public affairs," noted his obituary as obtained by MySanAntonio.com. His tenure in the Texas House was marked by his involvement on various committees, including the Federal Relations Committee and the Committee on Interstate Cooperation, and he was recognized among the three "Outstanding Freshman" legislators for the 59th Session.
A heartfelt statement from his son, Reb, sheds light on the personal side of Wayne's life, “No one was more Panhandle Proud than he was,” Reb told KFDA NewsChannel 10. Although Wayne had been away from Amarillo and the Panhandle for many decades, it remained a defining part of his identity, significantly influencing his subsequent endeavors. In lieu of flowers, his family has requested that donations be made to the Scottish Rite Children's Hospital in Dallas or to a charity of one’s choice.
