Thomas Joseph Wakefield

Thomas “Tommy” J. Wakefield, 59 of St. Michael, ND a life long Devils Lake area resident and businessman died on Sunday, January 9, 2005 as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident near St. Cloud, Minnesota. Mass of Christian Burial for Thomas, Mikal and Nicole will be held on Monday, January 17, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. C.F. Wilhelm, Fr. Joseph Christensen and Fr. James Cheney will concelebrate the Mass. Rev. Jamie Desai, Pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake will assist at all services. A Scriptural Rosary Service will be held on Sunday, January 16, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. with a Scriptural Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Friends may call at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Serving as Pallbearers will be: Richard Wakefield, Robert Wakefield, Dan Wakefield, Bill Wakefield, David Wakefield and James Wakefield. Music will be provided by Lynne Webster and Donovan Foughty, Vocalists and John Haugen, Organist Thomas Joseph Wakefield was born on December 25, 1945 at Amery, Wisconsin, the son of Daniel L. and Victoria T. (Hoffman) Wakefield. In 1946, the family moved to Devils Lake. Tom attended St. Joseph Grade School and Devils Lake Central High School graduating in May of 1964. He attended Colorado College at Colorado Springs on a hockey scholarship and later attended UND at Grand Forks. Tom learned to fly from his Dad and flew his first solo flight in the fall of 1962. He worked for his Dad’s company, Wakefield Flying Service for several years. After his Dad retired, he owned and operated Devils Lake Aviation where he has worked in agricultural flying, air charter service, air ambulance service, training agricultural pilots and as an airplane broker just to mention a few. He was a professional pilot and was involved in every aspect of aviation. Tom also was one of the first persons in the Lake Region to establish a Hunting and Guide Service. He was certified in multi engine and float plane and also instrument rated. Tom was united in marriage to Loydene Sigette in Devils Lake. They lived, worked and raised their family in the Devils Lake area. Tom had many talents and pastimes. He played on the Men’s Hockey League and also served as an assistant coach with the Devils Lake High School Hockey Teams. He was very athletic and played racquetball frequently. In the winter months, Tom did Cross Country and Down Hill skiing. He was an outdoorsman who thoroughly enjoyed nature. Tom had a great talent for design and was actively involved in restoring historic and other homes. Tom had a passion for flying, but family gave him his greatest joy. Tom is survived by his Wife: Loydene Son: Lucus Mother: Victoria Wakefield, Devils Lake Brothers: Robert M. Wakefield and wife, Rochelle, Staten Island, New York Richard L. Wakefield and wife, Aida, Grand Forks William F. Wakefield and wife, Gayle, Devils Lake Daniel V. Wakefield also Devils Lake Sisters: Mary K. Wakefield and husband, Charles Christianson, Grand Forks Jacqueline S. Wakefield and husband, Fritz Wonderlich, Twin Falls, Idaho Many Nieces, Nephews and Cousins also survive. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Daniel; brother, James Wakefield. Memorials may be directed to the Thomas J. Wakefield Memorial Scholarship Endowment at Lake Region State College, 1801 College Drive North, Devils Lake, ND 58301 or the Devils Lake Public Schools Foundation at 1601 College Drive North, Devils Lake, ND.