LADD, Wilbur N. Obituary

Wednesday December 06, 2000

From The Pueblo Chieftain

Wilbur N. Ladd - passed away Dec. 2, 2000 in Pueblo. Wilbur was born in Nashville, Tenn., on May 30, 1914, to Albert and Carolyn Bernard Ladd and with the exception of a few years in Olney Springs, had lived in Pueblo his entire life. He graduated from Central High School in 1931 and attended Denver University. Before his retirement, he was an officer and Director of the Ladd Lumber & Mercantile Co., Farmers Lumber, Pueblo Builders Lumber and Supply, Otero Lumber, and Farmers Acceptance Corp. Mr. Ladd was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church for over 60 years, having served in numerous capacities including Chairman of the Building Committee, Chairman Finance Committee and President of the Men's Club. He also served 10 years as a member of the Finance Committee of the Rocky Mountain Methodist Conference.

He was an Advisory Committee member for the CSU Extension Program for 10 years. Wilbur had been active in the Boy Scouts since 1948 and had served as District Chairman, Council President, Regional Committee and the National Council. He was the first Woodbadge recipient in the Rocky Mountain Council and served on the National Staff for Woodbadge at Philmont Scout Ranch. He inaugurated the Rocky Mountain Council, University of Scouting, an annual training course that is still the largest training course in the Council. He was honored by having a lake at the San Isabel Scout Ranch named Wilbur Ladd Lake and received the Silver Beaver Award from the R.M. Council and the Silver Antelope award from the North Central Region Boy Scouts. He served on numerous committees over the years and also as President of the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce in 1957.

Mr. Ladd was very active in Rotary, having served as president of the Pueblo Rotary Club in 1957-58, District Governor 1961-62, Information and Extension Counselor for Rotary International 1962-63. He organized and chartered the Rotary Club of Minnequa and was honored for 50 years of perfect attendance in 1998.

Wilbur received an award for 50 years of membership in Silver State Lodge No. 95 AF&AM in 1994. He served the lodge as Master in 1953 and was appointed to the Grand Lodge of Colorado in 1969. Mr. Ladd served in each of the offices of the Grand Lodge and was installed as the Grand Master of Masons in Colorado in 1977. He was an honorary member of eight Masonic lodges throughout Southern Colorado. He received the 33rd degree Scottish Rite Masonry in 1997 and served as Knight Commander of the Court of Honor and Wise Master of the Southern Colorado Rose Croix. Wilbur was a member of the Masonic York Rite bodies, Knight Templar, Al Kaly Shrine, serving as Potentate in 1974, Eastern Star and Hi Twelve. He also belonged to BPO Elks No. 90 in Pueblo.

Mr. Ladd was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Alan Ladd. Wilbur is survived by his wife of 60 years, Arline Ladd of Pueblo; a daughter, Lynnda Fairbanks of London, England; a son, Wilbur N. (Marilyn) Ladd Jr. of Lakewood; a brother, John (Mildred) Ladd of Pueblo; his grandchildren, Joshua and Tiffany Ladd and Talbot Fairbanks; nieces, Carolyn Christopher of Pueblo and Donna Lee Gruitch of Woodland Park.

Mr. Ladd will lie in state at the mortuary from 2 until 8 p.m. on Thursday. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Dec. 8, 2000 at 1 p.m. in the St. Paul United Methodist Church, 107 E. Routt with Rev. Timothy Goettel officiating and Rose Croix memorial rites by the Southern Colorado Consistory and Masonic Rites by Silver State Lodge No. 95 AF&AM. Entombment will take place privately. Contributions in memory of Mr. Ladd may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital Transportation Fund, P.O. Box 193, Pueblo, CO 81002 or the St. Paul United Methodist Church Organ Fund.

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