Delbert Wayne Layne, 74, of Orange Beach, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at West Florida Hospital in Pensacola following a valiant 10-year battle with cancer.
He leaves his wife of 37 years, Charlotte Wesley Layne; his son, A. Russell “Rusty” Layne and family of Pensacola; his stepdaughter, Sabrina Frisk Stanley and family of Birmingham; three brothers, Boyd Lane, Dwight Lane and Rayburn Layne of Arkansas; two grandsons, Nicholas Nelson and family, plus Ashton Nelson and family; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Shelia Diane Layne Nelson; his stepson, David Wesley Frisk; his parents, Luther Delbert and Willyne Collier Layne; and his brothers, Donald Layne and Bob Layne.
Born and raised in northeast Arkansas, he was a 1959 graduate of Hoxie High School. He has been a resident of Orange Beach since 1983.
Throughout his life, Mr. Layne was a successful entrepreneur. He created many successful businesses such as a two-way radio business, Layne Communications, a cable advertising business, Cabletime, and numerous cable television systems, including Bayside Cable.
He also was a successful property developer to include Island Retreat RV Park in Gulf Shores and two mobile home communities in Baldwin County. Early in his life he worked as an insurance agent, instructed EMT classes and was the director of Emergency Medical Services in Jonesboro, Ark., and served on the Arkansas Governor’s Advisory Council for EMS.
Del Layne was largely a self-taught man. He was immensely interested in airplanes and had a private pilot’s license. His hobbies included tennis and traveling. In his lifetime he traveled the continental United States and a dozen foreign countries.
He was a member of the former Ono Volunteer Fire Department, Ono Men’s Club, was past president of the Lei Lani and Ono North POAs and worked with the Ono Roads and Bridges Committee.
The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2015 at Orange Beach United Methodist Church, 28751 Canal Road in Orange Beach. Friends and family will join together in a celebration of life on Ono Island.
Arrangements by Pine Rest Funeral Home, Foley.
