Alfred DeWayne Fife
Alfred DeWayne Fife, 89, of Holden, Missouri passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loved ones on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
DeWayne was born January 22, 1935, to Seth LaVern and Myrle Chittenden Fife in Bingham Canyon, Utah.
One of six children, DeWayne grew up in mining towns such as Silverton, Colorado and Hailey, Idaho where his father worked as a miner and his mother cooked for the crews. The mountain towns of his youth left a lasting impression on him and served as the source of entertainment for generations that followed as he regaled his family with tales of childhood antics.
A lover of Westerns, DeWayne was particularly proud of the time he spent an afternoon swimming with Hollywood star Rory Calhoun.
After moving to Missouri with his family, DeWayne graduated from Independence High School and soon thereafter met his bride of 67 years while attending church. He was united in marriage to Kay Martin Fife on August 18, 1956 in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
During the early years of their life together, DeWayne and Kay lived in Ely, Nevada where he worked for Kennecott Copper Mine. After a yearlong adventure in the mines, the couple returned to be near family, taking up residence in Independence, Missouri where they had two children, Stephen and Lisa.
Later, the family built a home in Holden, Missouri where the couple have lived for more than 50 years.
DeWayne was a talented bricklayer known for his superior craftsmanship and attention to detail. He was a member of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 15 for 59 years.
An accomplished woodworker dedicated to improving his skill, DeWayne was fond of attending woodworking conventions and studying emerging trends and styles.
All who knew DeWayne are familiar with his love of Harley Davidson motorcycles. He spent countless hours riding near and far on the bike he lovingly customized, both traveling solo and as a member of the “Rusty Zipper Gang” motorcycle club.
DeWayne is survived by his wife, Kay, of the home; his children, Stephen DeWayne (Leslie) of Stockton, Missouri and Lisa Kay (Ron) Stock of Bucyrus, Kansas; two sisters, Betty Joy Graham of Independence, Missouri and Kay Joneal Lee of Independence Missouri; seven grandchildren, Dustin Stock, Catherine Vazquez, Brandy Aadland, Sabrina Clausen, Colton Fife, Amanda Atherton, and Justin Lauderdale; and eleven great-grandchildren, Kaleb Stock, Addison Vazquez, Mackenzie Vazquez, Noah Vazquez, Connor Aadland, Kinsley Aadland, Zoe Jefferson, Dresden Clausen, Orion Simpson, Maddox Simpson, and Phoenix Atherton.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Seth and Myrle Fife; three brothers, Donald LaVern, Milton Dean, and Ernest Eugene; maternal grandparents, Hyrum Chittenden and Rozina Hill; and paternal grandparents Seth Fife and Mary Ellen Baron.
DeWayne’s family wishes to express their thanks to Amy Morgan for her loving care, invaluable aid, and tireless devotion to DeWayne and Kay. You will forever be in our hearts.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Campbell-Cast Funeral Home in Holden, Missouri.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Mission Trip Fund at Covenant Church of Holden: 298 SW 131 Hwy; Holden, MO 64040.
Online condolences may be left to the family at the funeral home website www.castfuneralhome.com.
