Ervin Wayne Harrington, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 89 at his home on May 15, 2025.  Wayne, as he was known to all, was born December 25, 1935, in Richmond, Texas to Albert Bartley Harrington and Edith Russell Harrington.

Wayne graduated from Lamar Consolidated High School in 1954. He was a member of the Air Force Reserve from 1957-1963.  In 1964, Wayne who always loved hunting and fishing began his career with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department where he devoted much of his life doing what he loved.  His career with Texas Park Wildlife began in Port Arthur, where he took the Golden Triangle by storm.  Wayne was all about the law and he took his job very seriously.  Shrimpers and poachers had a new sheriff in town and he stood out.  He got many accolades from his superiors and was written up in the newspaper a time or two on how he was 'cleaning house'.  He was in his element.  His next post took him to Wharton County where he continued to do his best at keeping hunters and fisherman within the limits of the law.  He was promoted to Regional Director for Region IV that moved him to Houston.  He loved the job and his employes, but not the town. After some time in Houston Wayne decided he wanted to go back south and took on the position of District Supervisor for Victoria County where he enjoyed this area and open space much more.  In 1993, he would end his 28-year career with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Beyond his professional life, Wayne was a proud 3rd Degree Master Mason, holding memberships in lodges in El Campo, Victoria, and Matagorda.  He also held a 32nd Degree of the Scottish Rite.

Wayne was an excellent marksman and loved to tell you the scientific names of birds and fish! His collections of guns and rifles was a history of his love of hunting from a young man, some of which he passed down to his grateful family. He was also an avid collector of pocketknives, though most of his collection was tragically lost in a 2012 house fire. Thankfully, he was able to share a few cherished knives with his children, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.

In retirement, Wayne served as a bailiff for Wharton County and enjoyed times with his family and his bevy of animals that he had throughout his lifetime.

Wayne was preceded in death by mother and father, Albert and Edith Harrington; sisters Bartley Jane Leightenheimer and her husband Carl, and Vivian Ruth Lindenberg.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Renee Harrington.  He is also survived by his daughters Terri Harrington Gibson (Tommy Deskins), Jill Ann Aafedt (Eric), and Kristy Jane Harrington; his stepchildren Crisi Genera Fetters (Clay), Cheri Renee Sacco and Rick Walker Griffin; twelve grandchildren and two great-grandsons, six step-grandchildren and four step great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Wayne's life will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City. A reception will follow the service at La Casona, 2416 Avenue F, Bay City.