Theodore G. Wakefield's Obituary
Theodore G. Wakefield, our beloved father, died at home, in his bed, on October 6, 2018. He was 95. Dad was born in Tacoma and went to school here, but he spent many summers as a cowboy on the Wakefield cattle ranch near Lakeview, Oregon. At Stadium High School he played basketball. Our mother always said he had the cutest legs on the court. He also helped start a bowling team. Later, as an adult, he was in the Tacoma Bowling Hall of Fame. However, bowling eventually took back seat to fishing--hiking streams and lakes with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law, in Alaska with his son and grandson, and at his second home on Hood Canal. Dad married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Sell, shortly before enlisting in the navy during World War II. They were married for 72 years. After the war, he worked at Wakefield Motors before going to work for the Tacoma Police Department. He began as an entry level clerk and retired as a lieutenant and head of forensics. Both our parents loved traveling. They visited Australia, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, and Morocco, loved Hawaii, and went to Hong Kong three times. In Latin America, they spent time in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize, but especially enjoyed Cost Rica and missed a lot of rainy weather here by spending a few weeks there. Dad is survived by daughter, Karla Stover (Edgar) and son, Thomas (Diana), grandson David (Trudy) and their children, Emma, Rees, and Clare, granddaughter Lisa Rosmuny and her children, Lydia, Anna (Josh Persson and children Benjamin and Adam) and Caleb, and granddaughter, Jodi Hanson Bond and her daughter Sophie. We especially want to thank Wendy, the wonderful Visiting Angel who helped look after both our parents right up until their passings, allowing them to remain in their home. A 1:00 reception will be held on October 15, 2018 at the Mountain View Cemetery Willow Room followed by services at 2:30.
What’s your fondest memory of Theodore?
What’s a lesson you learned from Theodore?
Share a story where Theodore's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Theodore you’ll never forget.
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