Wayne John Reif, beloved community figure, family-man, father and friend, passed away on the winter solstice, Dec. 21, 2022 in Newton, Kansas, at the age of 83.

Born in Hesston on January 6, 1939, to Theodore and Anna (Lee) Reif, Wayne is survived by 3 children from his 1st marriage; Tracey Carrier, Shelly Reif and Christina Goold, grandchildren Sarah and Cameron Carrier, 2nd wife Peggy Reif, step-children Kari and Doug Sebastian, step-grandchildren Kami Burgess and Kaci Smalley, and seven beloved step-great-granddaughters.

Wayne was preceded in death by parents, Ted and Anna Reif, siblings Gail Reif and Donna Caughlin, and first wife Sharon Reif.

Wayne graduated Newton High and, soon after, the Kansas School of Barbering.  He opened Hesston, and Moundridge Barber Shops with the intention of funding art school in KC, for which he’d received a scholarship. In the mid-70’s, he expanded the Hesston shop to a co-ed salon and renamed it “Hair Cutting Company.” In 1981 he opened “Hair Cutting Company” on Main Street, Newton, where he served a large and loyal community for decades.   His salon career spanned over 60 years, many of which he also served as inspector for the Kansas Board of Barbering. Many of his adult clients tell the story of getting their first haircut from Wayne. He reluctantly retired at 80 with a waitlist of two months for an appointment. 

Wayne served in the National Guard and was a member of the Elks club. During his time on the Hesston Development Committee, he founded the annual Oktoberfest.  He received a variety of awards and honors for his work in the field of cosmetology where he specialized in color and was known for creating youthful, trending styles on people of all ages.

Born on a farm in Hesston, he was named by his brother Gail, an avid fan of John Wayne. In his youth, he worked on his parents' farm and traveled by horse to attend a one room rural schoolhouse.  He would go on to travel the globe, exploring dozens of countries and declaring that “Wherever you go, people are people, and inherently good.” He applied this same theory at home where he embraced people of every age, ethnicity, and social status equally.

One of his favorite phrases, “daylights burning” set the stage for his work hard/ play hard lifestyle. For most of his 60+ year career, he worked 12 hour days, 6 days a week, but this never stopped him from creating amazing, if not sleepless, weekend adventures.  He attended hair shows globally, as well as annually in NYC.

For many years Wayne traveled annually to Talequah Ok. for a Cherokee family reunion, where he was associated by his brother's marriage.  His love went out to the Corntassel tribe, who embraced him as family.

Though memory loss played a role in his final years, rest assured that he remembered every name and face of every person he had ever known, and very often, their entire family history as well. People were his favorite thing in this life.

Wayne can be remembered anytime, anywhere by playing his favorite song, “Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. He sang this song, hand on heart, in his final days.

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE, will be held on Sunday, May 21, from 4:30 to 7pm at Grace Hill Winery, Whitewater.  Artwork from Wayne’s retirement years will be displayed. All friends and family are welcome.  

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