Wayne C. Kewley passed away Friday July 22, 2011, at home in Custer.

Wayne C. Kewley was born in Deadwood, SD, on March 31, 1945 to Charles and Rose Kewley. Wayne spent his growing up years in Roubaix, Argyle and Custer. He graduated from Custer High School in 1963. After graduation he joined the Army National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1972. Wayne also started working for the National Forest Service after graduation where he spent the next 37 years. He started out as a supply officer and worked his way up to Contracting Supervisor where he stayed until retirement in 2000.

Wayne spent a lot of his growing up years with his maternal grandparents who passed on their love of rock collecting. Wayne made rock collecting a lifelong passion; he left no rock unturned. He enjoyed anything where he could be outdoors. He loved camping with his family all over the Black Hills.

His children say they learned a lot from their dad even though they did not always appreciate his advice when they were younger. To sum it all up, he was always there to watch them make their mistakes and was always there to catch them when they fell.

He treasured the love of his grandchildren and relished in teaching them how to work and play. He always missed them deeply when they had to go home.

During retirement he enjoyed spending time traveling with the love of his life to visit his children and various places in between. Wayne knew the Black Hills like the back of his hand. He knew every back road and trail and could tell you what you were going to find when you got there. He was into Black Hills history, if you needed to know anything about the area all you had to do was ask. He would have made an excellent guide.

Wayne will be greatly missed by his family and friends for his kind heart, his humor, his generosity and his love of life.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Reneeann of Custer; his son Michael (Cheryl) Kewley of Kuna, Idaho; his daughter, Anna (Kris) Zumbaum of Miller, SD; one brother, Mick ( Laurie) Guenther of Patterson, CA; one sister, Ida (Tom) Larson of Torrington, WY; six grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation for family and friends will start at 6pm on Thursday, July 28, at McColley's Chapels of the Hills in Custer.


Memorial services will be at 10:00 am. Friday, July 29, 2011, at McColley's Chapels of the Hills with Pastor Bill Savory officiating. A lunch will be served following services.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer. Written condolences may be made to www.mccolleyschapels.com.