John (Pete) Fletcher |
| Posted 2009-08-19 by Sharon |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ May 5, 1999, p. A16 John ‘Pete’ Fletcher, Sr. of Wickenburg died April 29 in Sun City. He was 89. Mr. Fletcher was born April 2, 1910 in New Bern, N.C. and had lived in Arizona for 74 years. “Pete” grew up in Providence, R.I., where he had been very sick as a child. His parents, William and Clementine, were given a report not to expect him to live past the age of 12. Quite obviously, after removal of his eardrum, his determination to survive was a success. He attended Los Alamos School for physically frail boys in New Mexico prior to it becoming a research center for atomic weaponry. He then attended Lawrenceville prep School for boys in New Jersey, transferring to and graduating from Phoenix Union High School in 1931. “Pete” then attended the University of Arizona, graduating in 1935 and trained and studied archaeology under Dean Cummings, a subject in which he sustained a lifelong interest. He was involved with the excavation of Batatinkin-Keet Seal Kanishba in Northern Arizona. Pete married Agnes “Billie” McClelland in 1935. He joined with his sister Sophie Burden in running and managing Remuda Ranch after the death of Sophie’s husband Jack. During this period, he came to know many well-known politicians and celebrities of the day. Pete was very active in the community. He played a part in the first years of the Las Damas Trail Ride as “Campboss,” was once selected as Miss Gold Nugget in the early 1950s, and he and his father Dr. William Fletcher were the first to drive up the newly paved road along Yarnell on their way to Prescott. He was very active with the Desert Stagers performing in the melodramas during Gold Rush Days for many years, and entered the beard-growing contest quite frequently. He was the only man to date, to ever ride in the Desert Caballeros Trail Ride for 50 consecutive years. Peter will not only be remembered as a dad, grandfather, brother, uncle, rancher/cowboy, and friend, but also the proud owner of a mule named Hyacinth, who was not only his best friend but also the fastest mule in the State of Arizona. Pete also took part in various other trail rides, including taking Hyacinth on a sea cruise to the Catalina Islands. He was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity at the University of Arizona, served on the Desert Caballeros Trail Committee for many years, and also served on the D.C. Board of Directors as well as serving in the capacity of president in 1874-75. He also was a recipient of the D. C. Spur Award. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law Dexter and Sheila of Vienna, VA.; grandchildren Scott, Jeffrey, Brian and Paul; sister Mrs. Clementine White of Flagstaff; and many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife Billie McClelland in 1972; then by his second wife Veeva Peabody in the early 1990’s; daughter Sydney; sister Sophie Burden; and brother Bill Fletcher. Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday (May 7) at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. Saturday (May 8) at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, with a graveside service to follow. Father Jack Smart will officiate the ceremony. Interment will be at the Wickenburg Municipal Cemetery. Contributions are strongly encouraged by the family to Desert Caballeros Western Museum or the American Diabetes Association. Brown’s Wickenburg Funeral Home handled the arrangements. See Also: Find A Grave |
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