Gordon Dean Wakeman

Gordon Dean Wakeman, age 75, of Baldwin City, KS, passed away Friday, March 19, 2010, in Lawrence, KS with his four children and one son-in-law at his bedside. He was born September 26, 1934 in Wathena, KS the son of Gladys L. (Gillilan) and Norris V. Wakeman. He attended school in Wathena, KS and graduated from Wathena High School in 1952. He attended Kansas State College on a baseball scholarship but interrupted his studies to enlist in the U.S. Army, serving from 1953 to 1956. He was stationed primarily at Fort Riley, KS, Austria and Germany. He returned to college and graduated with a B.S. in Physical Education from the re-named Kansas State University in 1959.
He and Marilyn Jane “Sandy” Santner were married on their graduation day, May 31, 1959 on KSU campus in Danforth Chapel. She preceded him in death on November 16, 2002.
After beginning his teaching and coaching career, he attended Emporia State University during summers and weekends and earned a Master of Science in Administration. Gordon was the Baldwin High School Principal from 1973 to 1986 and Director of Buildings and Grounds and Athletic Director from 1986 until his retirement in 1996. One of his many accomplishments during his time as Buildings Director was the construction of the new Baldwin High School building.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Baldwin City. He was a KSU Alumni Assoc. Life Member, a member of the National Assoc. of Secondary School Principals, the KS Assoc. of Supervision and Curriculum Development, Phi Delta Kappa and the Rotary International, Past President. He was also a KSU volunteer school recruiter, a position he took very seriously as many former BHS students know.
Survivors include his daughters and son, Laura Schmidt and her husband, Terry, of Lawrence, Eric Wakeman and his wife Kathy Lee of Stillwater, MN; Shelly Wakeman of Lawrence, KS and Julie Wakeman and her husband Mike Niemann of Shawnee, KS; one sister, Betty Louise Moore and her husband, Robert F. Moore, MD, of Caney, KS; 6 grandchildren, Bradley Schmidt, Evan Schmidt, Griffin Niemann, Shawn Wakeman, Olivia Niemann and Jillian Wakeman; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, wife, Marilyn (“Sandy”), and three brothers, William, Charles and Gregg.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 27, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church in Baldwin City. Visitation will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, March 26, at Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home in Baldwin City. Burial will be held in Oakwood Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association/ Hospice or to the First UMC and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 64, Baldwin City, KS 66006. Online condolences may be shared with the Wakeman family at www.lamb-roberts.com.