Wayne H. McDermott
April 23, 1948 – October 4, 2024
Passed away after a very active life.
Wayne joined the U.S. Navy after high school for four years. He spent two years in the Mediterranean, traveling to the Mediterranean countries as part of the Admirals’ Company. He played for many dignitaries as a musician, including meeting and playing for Princess Grace of Monaco.
Wayne started playing the accordion professionally at the age of 14. When he was 17, he played with the Dave Husky Orchestra in small towns across Iowa and Nebraska until he joined the U.S. Navy from 1967 to 1971. During that time, he also played with small bands for dance music in nightclubs.
After leaving the U.S. Navy, he attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. During his college years, he started his own band, The Wayne McDermott Band. He played at the Anchor Inn on the riverfront for most of his college years. He received so many requests for weddings, anniversaries, and other functions that he left the Anchor Inn and started only private parties.
In 1971, he played for hundreds of weddings, anniversaries, Bar Mitzvahs, and private parties at all the Country Clubs, German American Club, and many other places. Nebraska football was going strong. After the football games, he played at Happy Hollow Country Club for their dances during the football season with Lyell Bremster always in attendance. Who could forget his famous words during the Nebraska Football games? Man, Woman and Child were his famous sayings when Nebraska made a touchdown or other great plays. Wayne played for so many functions until 1980, when he formed his insurance agency.
Wayne and his wife owned Diversified Benefits Group LLC for 43 years, from 1980 until its recent sale in 2023. The agency specializes in providing employee benefits to companies across Nebraska and Iowa.
He is survived by wife, Sharon; son, James; cousins, and many friends.
Family will receive friends Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 6PM-8PM at West Center Chapel.
Funeral: Wednesday, October 9th, 11AM at West Center Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Parkinson’s Association.
Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com
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5 Comments
My deepest sympathy Sharon
Always my good friend
Sharon and James,
I was saddened to read of Wayne’s passing. I have so many wonderful memories of the years we worked together. He was a special man and made an impact on so many lives My thoughts and prayers are with you.
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. A lot of good memories working with Wayne over the years.
Please accept my sympathy. I knew from school. He was a very nice and polite guy. God Bless all his family. He will be greatly missed.🙏
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