Vermilion High School Hall of Fame
2005 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

    THEODORE DUNMORE WAKEFIELD - CLASS OF 1930

THEODORE DUNMORE WAKEFIELD – Theodore D. “Ted” Wakefield was a graduate of Vermilion High School, Class of 1930.  Ted graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in1934.  Ted Wakefield also received an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Bowling Green State University.  He rose to President and Chairman of the Wakefield Corporation, acquired Fireland’s Community Bank in 1969 and retired in 1982.  Mr. Wakefield served on the Board of Directors of Lorain National Bank, Sta-Warm Electric Company of Ravenna and Central Security National Bank of Lorain County.  In October 1965, Mr. Wakefield accepted the financial committee chairmanship to raise over one million dollars to provide residents of Erie, Huron, and Ottawa counties a branch campus of Bowling Green State University known as Firelands College in Huron.  In 1967, he founded the Harbour Town 1837 Concept; a plan to restore downtown Vermilion homes and to revitalize the business district.  He was also one of the founders of Vermilion’s Inland Seas Maritime Museum, which is housed in the original Wakefield family home.  His time, talent, vision and treasure planted many seeds for community, educational, and cultural development that continue to thrive today for the benefit of the Vermilion residents and visitors.  He was married to Margaret R. Reed, MD for 47 years and had four children, Margaret Wakefield Worcester, Deborah Wakefield, Ted Wakefield and Read Wakefield. They all maintain residences in Vermilion.  Mr. Wakefield died at his Vermilion lakefront home, at the age of 80, in late October 1992.  Accepting for Theodore Wakefield is his son Read Wakefield accompanied by VHS Student Council member McKenna Lovelace.