Doug Wayne Wilde, a longtime respected Rockdale businessman, died recently.
He had made many friends owning his business, CarQuest of Rockdale (and previously Western Auto), and through church and club activities.
“We are both Gideons and we, as Gideons, met every Saturday morning for many years,” said Rockdale Municipal Judge Jerry Waggoner. “I am devastated and shocked. He was a longtime friend. He is going to be missed greatly.”
Robert Zapata, who worked with Wilde for 30 years, said Wilde came into the office every day to make sure things were running smoothly.
Zapata’s role at CarQuest depends on who you asked, he chuckled.
“If you ask me, then I would say I am just his employee. If you ask some others around here, they would say I am actually the manager, and if you ask his wife Leann she would say I am his right hand man,” Zapata said.
“He was the nicest person and would do anything to help anyone in any situation,” said Zapata, who came to work for Wilde in 1991 at the recommendation of his uncle, Steve Zapata, who was working for Wilde at the time.
Wilde made many friends in his service with the Lions Club. One of them was Mike Pruett of Pruett Insurance.
“Doug was the friendliest and most helpful person I have ever known and I had the utmost respect for him. He and I were in the Lions Club together and shared many laughs while serving our community,” Pruett said. “The most impressive thing I will always remember about Doug is that he truly lived a Christian life.”
(See obituary, page 6A.)
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