Wayne Sheneman

Wayne Sheneman, 80, died Thursday, March 14, 2013, at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., following a brief illness. He leaves his wife of 59 years, Jean Sheneman; his sons, Terry Sheneman of Austin, Texas, and Kirk Sheneman and wife, Della, of Janesville, Calif.; his brother, Dale Sheneman of Idyllwild, Calif.; his grandsons, Joshua Sheneman of Sacramento, Calif., and Derrick Noah of Janesville, Calif.; his granddaughter, Karina Noah-Green of Abilene, Texas; and many close friends in the Palm Desert, Calif., and Northwest Arkansas areas. Born in Leroy, Kan., Mr. Sheneman had a meager beginning, working on a farm while attending high school. At the young age of 15, he struck out on his own to build a better life. Following graduation from high school, Mr. Sheneman attended Park College in Kansas City, Mo., where he met his lifelong companion, Jean, and after serving in the Counter-Intelligence Corps of the United States Army in Germany, obtained his master's in business administration from Harvard Business School. Mr. Sheneman worked the majority of his life in the land development business in Northwest Arkansas for Cooper Communities Inc., where he was senior vice president and chief operating officer. Upon retiring from a very active career, he and Jean traveled extensively, ultimately settling in the Palm Desert area, where they have lived for the past 14 years. Wayne had a love for bass fishing, tennis and was an avid collector of fine wines. He and Jean were great hosts and enjoyed opening their home to friends and family often. His quick wit and the ability to tell hilarious anecdotes from his life experiences made all around him stop, listen and laugh no matter what the story was about. He was always thinking of others and was a generous supporter of higher education. Having turned 80 earlier this year and experiencing a full life, he had achieved more than most can imagine, and did so in style. A private memorial service for immediate family is pending. Memorial gifts can be given in Wayne Sheneman's name to the COD Community Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o College of the Desert Foundation, 43-500 Monterey Ave., Palm Desert, CA 92260; or College of the Ozarks, Development Office, P.O. Box 17, Point Lookout, MO 65726.