L. Wayne Minshew

Lamar Wayne Minshew, 78, of Calhoun, died April 29, 2015 following several months of declining health.

Wayne was born in Cherokee County, Alabama on June 9, 1936. He was the son of the late Norman and Ethel Logan Minshew. A graduate of Model High School, he attended West Georgia College for two years and was a star baseball player there. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1958 with a degree in journalism. He also was an outstanding pitcher for the baseball Bulldogs. He allowed opponents only 1.02 runs per game, an earned run average that has yet to be equaled. Wayne signed a professional contract as shortstop with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959 and played one season before becoming a full-time journalist, starting with the Americus Times.

In 1961 Wayne joined the Jacksonville Journal. The Jacksonville Suns International League baseball team became his primary assignment. When the Braves baseball organization moved their National League team from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966, the Atlanta Constitution hired Wayne as lead reporter covering the team. In 1976 Wayne joined the front office of the Braves and served as director of public relations until 1987.

Wayne joined the Hope-Beckham Advertising Agency, retiring in 1999. As a public relations professional he coordinated media relations for the Para Olympics in Atlanta. Following retirement Wayne moved to Calhoun where he became a respected coordinator of the city's literacy program and was a fixture in marketing efforts promoting his adopted city. For several years he was a regular columnist for the Calhoun Times. He was a member of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Calhoun.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Bobbie Jo Minshew, of Charlotte, North Carolina; his daughter and son-in-law, Melanie S. and Jack P. Wilkey, of Charlotte; his brother and sister-in-law, Buddy and Billie Minshew, of Rome; grandchildren, Luke Minshew, Ethan Goodwin, Grace Goodwin, Alex Adams, Eric Adams, and Kate Wilkey; his niece, Susan Minshew Speed.

A memorial service for Wayne Minshew is planned for Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 2 p.m., St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 224 Trammell Street, Calhoun, Ga. The Reverend Louis Tonsmeir will officiate, with eulogy by Lee Walburn. The Minshew family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until the funeral hour.

Please visit www.maxbrannonandsons.com to sign the online register. Funeral arrangements for Wayne Minshew are under the care and direction of Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home of Calhoun.