Frederick Staheli Wilkinson

Frederick Staheli Wilkinson, age 87, passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2024. He was born on April 5, 1937, in Winnemucca Nevada to George William Wilkinson and Jessie (Staheli) Wilkinson. He was the youngest of two boys and was raised on the Little Meadow Ranch in McDermitt Nevada.

Fred attended primary school in McDermitt until 8th grade, but with no further access to higher education his parents sent him to live with his grandparents (Frank and Polly Staheli) in Washington, Utah. He graduated from Dixie High School in 1956 and attended Dixie College in St George, Ut, before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in education from The College of Southern Utah (now Southern Utah University) in Cedar City, Utah on June 9th, 1962.

He met and married his wife Judy (from Leeds, Utah) while attending high school and college in St George. They were married on August 18, 1961, recently celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary.

Fred's life story is one of hard work, strong values, good decisions, and success, he along with his wife and family built over time an extraordinary business in the agriculture industry, raising cattle. After he married Judy, Fred returned to McDermitt and became a schoolteacher from 1961 to 1967 while also working with his brother George on the Little Meadow Ranch. Always progressive in their thinking, in 1967 they formed the Wilkinson Brothers partnership and expanded their operation by leasing the McCormick Ranch, also in McDermitt. Fred then did what he loved and became a full-time rancher. In 1981 they bought the McCormick Ranch and brought George's son Kimble into the expanded family partnership under Wilkinson Ranches. In 1994 they expanded again, bringing Fred and Judy's son Nick and his wife Jaimi into the family business.

In 2001 the two families restructured, with Fred and family taking over the McCormick Ranch and livestock and George and family keeping the Little Meadow and Minor Ranches. At that time GJ Livestock was formed. GJ Livestock continued to grow with the lease of the Disaster Peak Ranch in 2012, a move that has allowed the family to focus on progressive strategies that support their work to raise beautiful Black Angus Commercial cattle and sustain the family business into the 5th generation and beyond. Fred and Judy along with Nick and Jaimi have been partners in GJ Livestock for 30 years. 

 In addition to his success as a rancher and businessman, Fred was very engaged in the community. He was the longest serving member of the Oregon School board in the state's history and he along with his son Nick coached basketball for 15 years at McDermitt Combined School. He contributed to and supported the Humboldt County 4-H program for multiple years and served on the McDermitt Rodeo Board for at least 25 years in various capacities. In November of 2023 he was honored by receiving the Nelo Mori Heritage Ranching award.

 Fred's greatest love was his close and extended family. He enjoyed sitting around the table telling stories and enjoying the fabulous spreads his wife Judy prepared daily. He had a wonderful sense of humor and had fun giving nicknames to both animals and the people with whom he was most fond. He loved sports of all kinds but was particularly fond of BYU, following their games all his adult life. He enjoyed a good Jitterbug with his wife Judy at community dances and playing tennis with friends in the summer months. Fred was very popular at Dixie, made friends easily and was fun to be around. He valued friendship and was committed to maintaining close ties with friends he had made throughout his life, frequently calling people to wish them a Happy Birthday. He will be missed by all.

Fred is survived by his wife Judy who lives on the family ranch in McDermitt, Nevada; his daughter Lori and her husband Glenn from Las Vegas, NV; his son Nick and his wife Jaimi, grandson Hyland and his wife and April Wilkinson, and great-grandsons Westyn and Coltyn - who all live on the family ranch in McDermitt, NV; granddaughter Staheli Ugalde and her husband Victor and great-granddaughter Laney Jo who reside on the Nine Mile Ranch in Kings River, NV; Fred's brother George Wilkinson who lives in Nampa, Idaho.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 6 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located on 75 North Main Street, Leeds, Utah. The service schedule will be as follows: visitation at 10:00 a.m., service beginning at 11:00 a.m., lunch and sharing at 12 noon with the internment at the Leeds Cemetery starting at 2:00 p.m. There will also be a Celebration of Life in McDermitt, NV at the Community Hall on Saturday, October 5th starting at 12 noon.

The services can be livestreamed at the following link: ZOOM LINK

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the McDermitt Rodeo Board P.O. Box 416, McDermitt, NV 89421. We want to help support and preserve this small-town 4th of July tradition dating back to 1911.

The family would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Jared Minor, Intermountain Healthcare, and the team at Southwest Cardiology for their exceptional care to Fred over the last several years. In addition, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to Dixie Hospice and Mabel's Angels who provided exceptionally caring and dedicated support during the past month.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St. St. George, UT. 435-673-2454.