Wayne Roy Ulberg

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Wayne Ulberg, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Wayne is survived by his sister Gladys Mertz; two daughters, Jill Norris and Nancy Welty; their brother, Edwin Tucker; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Ulberg; as well as grand-children Amy Young, Andrea Baskette, Brandy Leonard, Kara Ulberg, and Cameron Norris; and great-grand-children Megan, Remington, Easton, Kaylee, Charli, Sydney, Cooper, Asher, and Austin. For 58 years, Wayne was the owner and Chief Executive Officer of Petro Lock Incorporated in Lancaster.

Wayne Roy Ulberg was born December 19, 1926 in Burbank, California where he graduated from high school in 1944. That same year he joined the Merchant Marines and, in 1946, married Wynema Jean Stull (Spur, Texas), with whom he had three children: Mark, Jill and Nancy Ulberg. Wayne and his family moved to the Antelope Valley, where he farmed with his father Roy Ulberg.

In 1959, Wayne purchased a Shell Oil distributorship. Shortly thereafter he installed a key lock system on a remote 12,000-gallon diesel tank in Littlerock and Petro Lock Inc. was born. He added a Uniroyal Tire distributorship and, in 1963, purchased the four and one-half acre facility at 45315 Trevor Avenue – where Petro Lock is currently located.

Eventually, Wayne moved away from Shell Oil and became an independent oil and petroleum supplier in 1973. Never one to stop innovating, Wayne began an aviation fuel company (Air Petro Corp.) in 1977, which became a Chevron distributor. In every respect, the businesses that Wayne started were all family-affairs, co-owned and managed by his three children Mark Ulberg, Nancy, and Jill, and employing Wayne’s father Roy, his mother Nellie, and Wayne’s grandchildren in various roles and positions.

Wayne’s involvement in the aviation fuel industry was complimented by his love of flying. He was an avid pilot, flying first his Cessna and then Mooney aircraft from Fox Field in Lancaster. Wayne remained a fixture at Fox Field and could be found discussing politics and the news of the day at the café there.

Wayne is preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Tucker; his wife of 49 years, Millie Ulberg; his son Mark Ulberg; his sister, Merle Tonione; and both of his parents. A memorial service will be held Wednesday November 8th at the Joshua Memorial Cemetery Chapel at 11:00 am, with a graveside ceremony immediately afterward.

Arrangements under the direction of Joshua Memorial Park Mortuary, Lancaster, CA.