Jerry A. Wakefield

Jerry Allen Wakefield, 93, of Fort Smith, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, June 30, 2011. He was born in Charleston, Arkansas on April 9, 1918 to Charles and Sue Wakefield, the second of four sons. He was a member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church where he served as a teacher, greeter, and deacon and he enjoyed visiting the homebound and hospitalized with his wife.

Jerry was a much loved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a man of many interests and abilities. After retiring as an officer from the Air Force, he became a skilled wood craftsman and later owned and operated Tilles Furniture Shop. He loved Jesus, his family, fishing, vegetable gardening, beekeeping, carving wood, studying the Bible, growing herbs and flowers, and playing beanbag baseball. He possessed a curiosity about life and read and learned about his hobbies and interests, as well as reading the Times Record from beginning to end every day, always enjoying with a big grin and smiling eyes getting to share and discuss what he had learned. If his favorite sports teams were playing, he would be listening on the radio or watching on television, commenting and cheering with the other fans. He was a good man who lived what he believed, worked hard, and taught his children to do the same.

Jerry was preceded in death by his loving wife of 68 years, Ann, his parents, and his brother Scooter Wakefield and his wife Lee. He is survived by two daughters; Donna Johnson and husband Mickey of Fort Smith, Carolyn Moormann and husband John of Winston-Salem NC; three sons, Jeffrey Wakefield and his wife Alice, of Albuquerque, NM, Phillip Wakefield of Fort Smith, and Michael Wakefield and his wife Norma of Fort Smith. He is also survived by two brothers; Gray Wakefield and his wife Pat of Houston, TX, and Nelson Wakefield and his wife Betty of Fort Smith. He had thirteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Nathan Wakefield, Caleb and Nathan Taylor, and Fred Borchert.

Jerry’s family appreciates more than words can express the loving care that was given to him by his many caregivers over the past few years. Thank you Tammy, Laurie, Katherine, Heather, Sandy, Dee, Christie, Misty, Jan, and Connie. Thank you Butterfield Retirement Place for all of the friends, fun activities, entertainment, and worship services.

Funeral service will be 1:00 P.M. Thursday, July 7, 2011 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Forest Park Cemetery, under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 6, 2011, from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. at Edwards Funeral Home.

Memorials may be sent to Helping Hands Ministry, 3901 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901.

Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com