Services set for Brady Thomas Wakefield

A Celebration of Life Service for Brady Thomas Wakefield, age 20, of O’Neill, will be held 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 20, 2015, at the O’Neill Community Center in O’Neill, NE. Rev. Lance Clay will officiate. Private family burial. Visitation will be Sunday, July 19, 2015, from 4-7 P.M. at the O’Neill Community Center. Brady passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2015, in Buffalo County as a result of a car accident. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the O’Neill First United Methodist Church for the roof fund, Nebraska High School Rodeo Association, or the Eagles Booster Club to be directed to the Weight Room fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill.

Brady was born on April 23, 1995, in Lincoln, NE, to James and Susan (Wampler) Wakefield. He attended O’Neill High School, where he was an avid weight lifter and competed in various sports activities. He graduated in 2013, and was currently attending Gillette College in Gillette, WY. From a very young age, Brady loved to ride horses and rodeo. In 2013, he won state championships in Team Roping (with his brother Riley), Tie Down Calf Roping, and was named Nebraska State Champion in the all-around. He was a 3 time qualifier for the High School National Finals Rodeo. In 2012, Brady and his brother Riley were named Reserved National Champion Team Ropers. After high school, Brady joined the rodeo team at Gillette College on a full rodeo scholarship. While there, he qualified for the Collegiate National Finals Rodeo in Casper, WY. In 2014, he was named PRCA Badlands Circuit Rookie of the Year.

Brady was a member of the O’Neill United Methodist Church, and a past member of the O’Neill FFA where he received a state star in Agri Business. Brady loved helping those who needed help. Unbeknown to most, Brady loved cats. He is survived by his parents, Susan and Jim, one brother, Riley James Wakefield, all of O’Neill, NE, Grandmother Patty Jo Wakefield of Herman, NE, Grandfather Richard Wampler and wife Jean of Lincoln, NE, girlfriend Kenzie Huffman of Strasburg, CO, and aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his grandmother Donna Lee Wampler and Grandfather Leslie Thomas Wakefield.

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