David D. Wakefield

On December 11, 2024, when David Dean Wakefield died, the world lost a true gentleman with a zest for life.

David was born in October of 1930, in Cleveland, OH. He spent his early years in Pittsburgh, where he became a super fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In 1939, his father Harold (Hal) Kenneth Wakefield married Frances Caulk Grier and the family settled in Milford, DE where Hal was employed with the L.D. Caulk Company. The family summered in Rehoboth Beach. David fell in love with Rehoboth and met many of his life-long friends during those special summers. Hal enlisted in the Army during WWII and David and his brother Bob went off to Blair Academy in Blairstown, NJ.

After six years of cold weather, and no co-eds, David’s educational pursuits took him to The College of William and Mary, in Williamsburg, VA. David earned a BA in Economics, and participated in the ROTC, was a member of the SAE Fraternity, was a cheerleader, and served as student body president. It was here that he met is future wife, partner and soulmate, Carolyn (Lee) Bradley.

Following graduation, David served for 2 years in the Army. After his military service he and Lee were married and moved to Washington D.C. where he was employed by Proctor and Gamble. The bright lights and big city finance world kept calling to him, and much to the consternation of both his father and father-in-law, David quit his job and moved his little family to New Jersey to pursue his dreams in the Big Apple. He was hired by the Morgan Guaranty Trust Company (which was to become J.P. Morgan) in 1955 and received his MBA in Economics from NYU in 1959.

David rose through the ranks at Morgan, serving at the 5^th Avenue and Rockefeller Center branches, finally landing at bank headquarters on Wall Street, as a Senior Vice President. In 1980, as a result of Delaware’s Financial Center Development Act, David was selected to bring Morgan to Delaware.  When retiring, after 37 years, David held the position of managing director and chairman of J.P. Morgan Delaware. Since its inception in 1980, J.P. Morgan/Chase has become the 3^rd largest employer in the state of Delaware.

Following his retirement, David served as the executive director of the Longwood Foundation. Under his direction, the Orange Street garage and the Community Services building were created. In 1996 he was inducted into the Delaware Business Leaders Hall of Fame. Following his time with Longwood, David and Lee became snowbirds and settled in Hobe Sound, FL, where they lived for 23 winters.

David made time between his family and professional life to always look for ways  to “give back.” In New Jersey he was active in the Episcopal Church, the Jaycees, and the young republicans. He was Chairman of the Chatham (NJ) Combined Health Appeal, the Colonial Symphony Orchestra, Morristown, NJ and became president of the Madison (NJ) Area YMCA.

Upon moving to Delaware, David joined the boards of Delmarva Power and Light Company and Continental Life Insurance Company. He was also a trustee and board member of the Winterthur Museum as well as serving as its vice chairman. He remained a trustee emeritis until his death. He was an active member of the Christ Church and a trustee of the Grand Opera House.

As in both New Jersey and Delaware, in Florida David continued to be civically minded. He was very involved with Christ Memorial Chapel but was most proud of his involvement in the Loblolly Community Foundation.

Loyalty and commitment were attributes that described David. He remained close to his educational roots and was elected to Blair Academy’s Board of Trustees in 2003. He served as vice chair of the board from 2009-2011 and as the co-chair for the Strategic Planning Committee. In 2008 David received the Blair Academy Citation of Merit. David also chaired the Endowment Committee for The College of William and Mary and became the first lay chairman. In 1995 The College of William and Mary bestowed upon him the College Alumni Gold Medallion Award for his service to the college.

David was a man of many passions. He loved golf, traveling with friends, boating, and spending time with his family.

David was predeceased by his brothers Judge Robert Wakefield and Dr. Frank Wakefield. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Carolyn (Lee) Bradley Wakefield, two children, Ellen Bradley Wakefield and David Dean Wakefield Jr. (LeDee), two grandchildren, Elizabeth Whitney Slater (Brooks) and James (Jake) Richard Iversen, III (Laura) and four great-grandchildren, Emily, Sky, Hunter and Brady and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will always be grateful for the loving and tender care David received at the Stonegates Health Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation to The Salvation Army of Wilmington, DE or Christ Church Christiana Hundred.