J. Carroll (Toosy) Wakefield aged 98, died in Austin, Texas on February 26, 2014. Mr. Wakefield, born in Corpus Christi, Texas August 30, 1915, was the son of Wilson Albert Wakefield and Martha Mathis Wakefield.



He graduated from Corpus Christi High School in 1932 and attended Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. Carroll participated in many diving competitions in Texas and won the Texas State Diving Championship twice. In 1937, he married Margaret Louise Sloma and then entered the real estate business with his father.



When war was declared in 1941, Carroll immediately volunteered and began training for the Army Air Force. After receiving his wings at Foster Field in Victoria, Texas he was stationed in Tallahassee, Florida for further training in fighter planes, and was then sent overseas and stationed in England.



Carroll flew 87 missions and earned the Air Medal four times, the Distinguished Flying Cross three times, and the Silver Star for gallantry in action.



After participation in Normandy invasion, Carroll was advanced to headquarters, where he was Combat Operations Officer for the 65th Fighter Wing. As a result of high altitude flying, he developed a heart problem and was sent home in 1945, retired with partial disability, as a Captain.



Toosy became active again in real estate, oil leasing, had business interests in Aransas Pass and Port Aransas, Texas, and later managed two shopping malls in Corpus Christi. He retired in 1977, and he and Margaret moved to the hill country near Boerne, Texas in 1981. For several years, Toosy did volunteer work at the Audie Murphy Veteran's Hospital in San Antonio. He and Margaret attended the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. In 2002, they moved to Austin to be near their son. Known for his wit and good humor, Toosy had many interests, many many friends, and was well loved.



Carroll was preceded in death by infant daughter Melinda. He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Margaret, his son Jay Carroll Wakefield of Austin, Texas, daughter Lucy Loring and husband John Howie of Lillian, Alabama, grandson Patrick Sean Harral and wife Genevieve, of San Antonio, Texas, granddaughter Chelsea Anna and husband John Radcliffe of Colonial Heights, Virginia, four great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.



Graveside services will be held at Seaside Memorial Park, in Corpus Christi, Texas, on March 8th, at 1 pm. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations made to a church, favorite charity or the D.A.V. will be appreciated.



Honoring Toosy as pallbearers will be his son, son-in-law, grandson, and nephews. Special honorary pallbearer is Lt. Col. Bill Christian USAF, Ret.



Published in Austin American-Statesman from Mar. 5 to Mar. 6, 2014

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