Wayne Wakely

The sun has set on one great old cowboy!

At the age of 95, Wayne Alfred Wakely passed away peacefully on November 7th, 2023. He was surrounded by family at his home in Marana, AZ. Wayne was born February 12, 1928 in Hyannis Nebraska to Chuck and Enore (Alfreds) Wakely. He attended school in Mullen Nebraska then worked a cattle ranch South of Whitman Nebraska. Wayne enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing softball on the town team and flying his airplane. He met and married Della Jansen and had three children, Lori, Charles (Chuck) and Stephanie.

Wayne was a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) and competed in rodeos across the country specializing in steer wrestling. He moved to Tucson Arizona where he met and married Dalia Padilla and had a daughter, Lisa. Wayne became a journeyman ironworker erecting steel frames for high rise buildings and bridges in Arizona and across the country. He began working on the Alaska pipeline in 1975. He and Dalia built a cabin on the Kenai River in Soldotna Alaska and have been bi-residential with their homes in Soldotna and Marana, Arizona since. Fishing in Alaska was his passion.

Wayne is survived by his wife Dalia, daughters Lisa (Eric) Gladden, Lori McDonald, Stephanie (Paul) Stroup, son Charles (Pamela) Wakely, his brother Willis (Carol) Wakely and grandchildren Justin, Scott, Michaella, Caitlin, Logan, Reece, Mason and Megan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Enore and Charles Wakely and sister Carita Anderson.

Wayne was known for his sense of humor and loved pulling off practical jokes. He enjoyed pushing the limits on occasion and had the ability to “irritate a rock”. Wayne was prolific with his country aphorisms. He had a knack for giving goofy nicknames that ‘stuck’ and was referred by many as “Ancient Wisdom”. He had a big heart and lent his talents to help his many friends.

A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.