Richard C. “Dick” Wakefield, 74, of Fayetteville passed away August 12, 2026, after a courageous two-year cancer battle. He was born June 3, 1952, in Fort Smith, Ark., to Nelson Wakefield and Betty (Lineback) Wakefield.
Dick worked as the Director of Taxation at ArcBest Corporation for almost 40 years. The 21st Street Gang of ArcBest meets several times each year to stay in touch and remember all the good times shared. After retirement, he continued offering tax work privately for another 11 years, providing free tax services to people in need. He felt it was an honor and his duty to help people that could not afford those services otherwise.
Born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Dick attended Ballman Elementary, Ramsey Junior High, and Southside High School, where he was voted Student Body President and Most Popular. He continued his education by attending the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, graduating with a bachelor of business administration and becoming a Certified Public Accountant. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity where he developed life-long friendships and his love of storytelling. His perfect day would be having his children and grandchildren gather, regaling them with anecdotes of his “glory days.”
Dick loved every genre of music and his favorite band, by far, was the Beatles. In junior high, he and several friends formed the band “The Bruts.” They may have had only a few gigs but left a lifetime of stories and fond memories to share and laugh over. He passed on his deep love of music to all his children.
He was a member of Genesis Church of Fayetteville. He also volunteered for 7Hills Homeless Center where he enjoyed conversing and ministering to staff and clients.
He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved stepson Chadd Joseph Brown.
He is survived by his best friend, and wife, Jane, two sons, Richard Zachary Wakefield (Natalie) of Fayetteville, Cole Wakefield of Eureka Springs, Ark., one daughter, Cory Allen (Chris) of Broken Arrow, Okla., and one stepson, Justin Michael Brown (Kate) of Muskogee, Okla. Two brothers, Steve Wakefield (Jeri) of Dallas, Texas, Eddie Wakefield (Jeannie) of Alma, Ark., and one sister, Julie Wakefield of Ft. Smith, Ark. Many special blessings and heartfelt thanks to Linsay Lemke (Chadd) and her daughters Devyn and Raelyn, who loved him like their own.
He is also survived by grandchildren Richard Noah Wakefield, Lily Allen, Lucian Allen, Crawford Wilson, and Aiden Ferguson.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Genesis Church of Fayetteville (205 M.L.K. Jr., Blvd,) on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Micah Hope Ministries c/o Genesis Church (205 M.L.K. Jr, Blvd, Fayetteville, AR 72701), the 7Hills Homeless Center or the American Cancer Society.
To sign the online guest book please visit bernafuneralhomes.com.