Roger Wakefield, 80
Wed, 07/07/2021 - 6:22pm
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—Former professional boxer, takes a dive on his last fight
June 16, 1941 —
July 2, 2021
Park Falls - Roger Wakefield, age 80, of Park Falls, Wis. died on Friday, July 2, 2021, at his home in the arms of his loving wife, surrounded by family.
A celebration of his life will be held in LaCrosse and announced at a later date.
Roger Roland Wakefield was born on June 16, 1941, in Sparta, Wis., the son of Roland Garth and Beatrice Augusta (Kewit) Wakefield. He was a 1959 graduate of Central High School in LaCrosse.
On May 11, 1961, he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Craig. The couple lived in many communities through the years, including LaCrosse, Wis., Cresco, Iowa and Rochester, Minn. before moving to Park Falls in 2005.
Roger became a professional boxer at the age of 17. After graduation, he served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, boxed for the Army National Boxing Team and also achieved a black belt in Tae-kwondo. He was a well-known heavy-weight boxer in the LaCrosse area in the late 1950s and 60s.
Throughout his career, he was a life and health insurance broker. He was honored with a distinguished service award for his support of the chiropractic profession by Northwestern College of Chiropractic.
Roger never met a stranger and was the first to step up to help those in need. He was very proud of his family, was a father figure to many, was the life of a party and always had great stories to tell. He would proudly share stories of his professional boxing career with everyone!
Roger is survived by his wife, Barbara of Park Falls; three children, Timothy (Lorelei) Wakefield of Butternut, Wis., Kristopher (Shannon) Wakefield of Poynette, Wis. and Kimberly (David) Gaston of Peoria, Ill.; 10 grandchildren, Beau, Chais, Shane, Sam, Bailey, Josie, Maggie, Kori, Rafael and Havanna; one great-grandson, Anderson; his brother, Gary (Dawn) Wakefield of Branson, Mo.; two sisters-in-law, Mari Wakefield of LaCrosse and Helen Taylor of Sun Prairie, Wis.; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Maurice Wakefield; and sister-in-law, Carol Klingle.
Memorials may be sent to the family at: 240 9th Street South Apt. 1, Park Falls, WI 54552.
