Wayne Norman Bass of Redfield passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 26, 2026 at Trinity Village Medical Center in Pine Bluff. Wayne was born on February 24, 1943 in Cypert in rural Phillips County, the only child of Lawrence and Louise Bass. At the time, they were sharecroppers, and the rural life shaped Wayne’s upbringing. His first experiences in the educational system were in a literal one-room schoolhouse a few miles down the road that may or may not have been uphill both ways. The family later moved to Marvell, where Wayne was a force on the football team, earning interest from as far away as Dartmouth College. However, he opted to enter the workforce after graduation from Marvell High, and spent more than four decades working in various agricultural industries in and around Phillips County.
After retirement, Wayne lived in Mississippi, New Mexico, and West Virginia before returning to Arkansas in 2022. Wayne’s primary hobbies throughout his life were traveling, fishing, reading, and just riding the backroads. He loved exploring the high plains and deserts of New Mexico and west Texas and deeply missed driving around looking for pronghorns and prairie dogs after leaving the area. In later life as mobility became more limited, he continued these interests and found many new ones vicariously through YouTube, which he found much preferable to television. Even during his final days, his mind was sharp, and he could tell wonderful stories of growing up in rural Arkansas, recite the family tree, and discuss favorite travel memories.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Lawrence and Louise, and his wife, Sandy Brackin Bass. He is survived by one son, Brian, whom Wayne raised as a single father following Sandy’s tragically early death in 1985. He will also be missed by numerous cousins as well as a host of friends and acquaintances. Wayne was a quiet and kind man, generous to a fault. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the charity of the giver’s choice.
Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
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Brian, sad to say goodbye to Wayne. He kept in touch so well through the years. You and he were very close and shared life for a long number of years. Lot to be thankful for.4
Brian, I was so sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. He always kept in touch when a family member passed. I commend your dad for taking on the role of mother and father for standing by you and supporting you in molding you into the man you have become. I know you made him proud.
Brian, I cant thank you enough for choosing me and letting me be the one for your dad.. I already had faith in the Lord. Yall brought my faith stronger. Yalls love for each other was so strong. I love seeing and being around people like yall. He isn’t suffering anymore. He is doing what he loved best to do. Love you Brother Bear!
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