WAKEFIELD, Gary Wayne

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona - 11/09/2004 Gary Wayne Wakefield, 65, died Nov. 5, 2004, in Lakeside. Gary was born in Taylor and grew up in Show Low where he lived most of his life. He attended Show Low Elementary School and graduated from Snowflake Union High School in 1956. He then became a Bull Rider and followed the Rodeo Circuit for a few years. When he decided there was no future for him in the rodeo, he went into the U.S. Army and was stationed in Panama for a year. After the service he worked in construction and drove a logging truck for a short time. Gary then found that he enjoyed working in communications and worked for Western States Telephone Co., Continental Telephone Systems of the West, and Contel, all in Show Low. He worked for the telephone companies for a total of 30 years and retired in 1990. He then was the owner/operator of B C Telephone Co. until 2000. During this time he also enjoyed hunting and fishing and golfing. Most of all he loved his family. His children and grandchildren were the most important part of his life. Gary is survived by his wife, Peggy Wakefield of Show Low; one son, Gary Lynn Wakefield of Surprise, AZ; two daughters, Jo Dawn Sykes of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Katie Raynor of Bixby, Oklahoma; one step-son, Darin Spiecker of Surprise; two step-daughters, Patty Quisenberry of Laguna Hills, California, and Deborah Moren of Santa Ana, California; one brother, Don Wakefield of Show Low; and 15 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Pearl Wakefield and a son, Roy Wakefield. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at the Show Low Downtown Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There will be a visitation from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9 at Owens Mortuary in Show Low and one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Show Low Cemetery. To send private condolences to the family or to sign a guest book, visit www.owensmortuary.com.