Thomas "Allen" Wahab
Thomas “Allen” Wahab, known to many as “Zeke,” passed away on February 14, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
He was born on March 15, 1943, in Norfolk, Virginia, to the late Job Wahab and Dorothy Swindell Wahab. Allen is survived by his devoted wife, Brenda; his daughters, Tammy Yates and Wendy Laing (Rob); his stepsons, Matt Chesson (Stephanie) and Randy Chesson (Jennifer); his sister, Annette Wahab; and his cherished grandchildren, Jordan (Kristyn), Tanner, Scott, Joey, Shannon (Michael), Chris, Evan, Aubrey, Jalyn, Raegan, and Peyton. He was especially blessed to welcome and spend time with his first great-grandchild, Presley. His family was the center of his life and his proudest accomplishment.
A gifted athlete, Allen played baseball and football at James Kenan High School in Warsaw, North Carolina, and was a proud member of the 1960 1A State Football Championship team. He attended Louisburg College before transferring to NC State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering in May 1970. A licensed Professional Engineer, Allen devoted his career to serving the citizens of North Carolina in the field of environmental engineering. He was a lifelong and passionate Wolfpack fan and loved attending NC State football and basketball games.
In February 2000, Allen was honored with the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine in recognition of more than 30 years of distinguished service with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Bestowed by the Governor of North Carolina, this award recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the state. Even after retiring from state service, Allen continued his professional journey with The Wooten Company, demonstrating his lifelong dedication to his field.
Allen was a man of many talents and wide-ranging interests. He enjoyed woodworking, boating, fishing, and golf, and he could often be found repairing cars, playing guitar, or building and restoring furniture. Known for his quick wit and warm sense of humor, he once explained his approach to carving an intricate wooden duck by saying he simply removed anything that “doesn’t look like a duck.” As a member of the Washington Yacht and Country Club, he treasured time spent golfing and sharing laughter with friends. He was fortunate to play some of the country’s most renowned golf courses, including PTC Scottsdale, Kapalua Plantation, Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Poppy Hills and Pinehurst#2.
After retirement, Allen and Brenda embraced adventure by purchasing motorcycles and exploring the open roads of North Carolina together. They shared a deep love of travel, visiting numerous states, marveling at the Grand Canyon and the beauty of Hawaii, and traveling abroad to Canada, South Africa, England, Scotland, and France.
In 2004, Allen realized a lifelong dream when he built a home on the Pamlico River—a place that quickly became a gathering spot filled with laughter, stories, and cherished family memories. His charisma, steady presence, and ability to bring joy to those around him will be deeply missed. Even as he faced Alzheimer’s, Allen continued to meet life with strength and grace, enjoying each moment as fully as he could.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the devoted sitters and caregivers who provided compassionate support to Allen and comfort to his loved ones during his final years.
A celebration of Allen’s life will be held at a future date along his beloved Pamlico River.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://donorservices.alz.org/login?form=FUNXAHXKQNE) or to Transitions LifeCare (https://www.transitionslifecare.org/donate/).