Fred Dirl Wakelin |
| Posted 2012-01-22 by Sharla |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, January 21, 2012 Fred D. Wakelin, owner and proprietor of Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Family Funeral Homes, Prescott, Ariz., passed away Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Fred was born the only child of J. Fred and LaRue (Richardson) Wakelin, on April 5, 1935, in Denver, Colo. Asthma prompted a family move to Tucson, Ariz., where Fred graduated from Tucson High School, and thereafter married Mary Alice Gustafson in March 1958. The newlyweds moved to San Francisco while Fred attended the premier San Francisco School of Mortuary Science and, after earning his degree, Fred and Mary returned to Tucson with baby Randy in tow. Looking for more opportunities than Tucson offered, Fred and Mary moved to Phoenix in 1962, and raised three additional children. In 1978, Fred purchased the Ruffner Funeral Home in Prescott and moved his family to the mile-high city. Fred was known throughout the region for his caring demeanor and exemplary service to thousands of bereaved families. He was an innovator in funeral family care and remembrances, but he was also an active community member: founding member of the Arizona funeral directors association; Phoenix Exchange Club; past President of the State Board of Funeral Directors; founding member of the Prescott Community Art Trust; Phippen Foundation; past Chief of Smoki; Elks Lodge; and multiple Masonic affiliations. Fred will be sorely missed by family and friends alike. Fred is survived by his children Tara (Monty) Higgins, Trisha Wakelin and Todd Wakelin, and his grandchildren Jonathan, Jake and Cole Wakelin and Caitlin and Taite Higgins. Fred was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 51 years, Mary (Gustafson) Wakelin in 2009; and his eldest son, Rand J. Wakelin, just late last year. A visitation will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m., followed by funeral services at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, at the Old Armory, 824 E. Gurley St., Prescott, Ariz. Burial will be 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at All Souls Cemetery, 700 North Bill Gray Road, Cottonwood, Ariz. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to the Salvation Army or the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Information provided by survivors. See Also: Find A Grave |
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