- Date Of Birth: September 15, 1963
- Date Of Death: July 21, 2022
- State: Idaho
Wayne Joyner was born on September 15, 1963, to Henry Joyner Jr. and Dollie Mae Joyner in Washington, D.C which led to his love for Go-Go, Washington Football and Basketball teams, crabs, and mumbo sauce. In 1980, right out of high school he enlisted into the U.S Army and finished his military career in the National Guard. He served in two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom. While being in the military, Wayne achieved many accomplishments that helped him move up the ranks and retire as a Staff Sergeant. He frequently pointed out how his role as being a cook was one of the most honorable moments in his career because he loved being able to see all the men and women first thing in the morning to make sure they all had “joy in their hearts”. A fellow brother and solider described Wayne as “A good friend and brother who always had a smile on his face”. The Army taught Wayne about discipline, accountability, but most of all how to be a great leader.
Wayne then took those skills and put them into action on to the basketball court. As he did play in the Army as well, he also knew he had a passion to coach. He started off coaching his own son Alijah Joyner at the age of 5, in the Caldwell Rec league. He was blessed to continue his coaching career at the middle school, high school, and AAU levels. He was a proud coach at the Caldwell and Homedale School Districts as well as the Vallivue/Caldwell AAU program. Coaching at all of these schools lead him to lifelong relationships with not only his players, but other coaches, and parents. The amount of lives that Wayne touched is astounding and his family is rest assured knowing how many people he truly impacted.
He met the love of his life Debbie Joyner in 2015 and were together 7 years, while getting married in 2018.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Jr & Dollie Mae Joyner; his brother Earl Jenkins; and his beloved daughter, Whitney Kirkeby-Joyner.
He is survived by his wife. Debbie Joyner and his most prize possessions, his children: Ashley McCoy of Maryland, Devin Joyner (Kevin Simon) of Maryland, Micah Morrison of Washington, D.C, Nico Lee of Germany, and Alijah Joyner of Idaho. Along with bonus children, Melice Rodriguez (Jose Berber) of Idaho, and Makea Rodriguez of Idaho; 2 brothers. Ray Joyner of Washington D.C. and Tim Joyner of Maryland; his pride and joy was his one and only grandson, Dominic Simon of Maryland. amd a host of devoted aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a tribe of friends.
A message from the family:
“Our hearts are healed and comforted in knowing that he was made whole again and is now dunking in heaven.”
