Harold Fayne Wolford

Fayne was born in 1933 in Sparenberg, Texas, to Noah and Donnie Wolford, known to everyone as Papaw and Mamaw, eight years after his brother, Jack. It was the beginning of a life shaped by faith, family, and the steady rhythms of small-town Texas.

In high school, his Berkshire barrow hog won Grand Champion in 1950, a point of pride he never entirely outgrew. He also played basketball at Dawson High School and graduated in 1951 in a class of just eleven students, an experience that grounded him in the small-town roots he carried with him for life.

He attended Texas Technological College, earning a degree in finance in 1955. During his sophomore year, he met Mava Rose Cartwright in an economic geography class, and the rest, as they say, was history. That introduction led to 71 years of marriage. While finishing their final semester, Fayne began working at Harold Davis’ Drive-In Grocery for $1 an hour, and the young couple established their first home in Lubbock, Texas.

After graduation, they moved to Welch, Texas, where Fayne worked alongside his parents at Wolford Grocery. When they learned their first child was on the way, they relocated to Lamesa. Dale was born in 1956, D’Aun in 1958, and Don in 1959, completing a busy and lively household.

Fayne served six months of active duty in the U.S. Army in New Jersey. Returning to Texas, he worked in finance for a variety of companies in West Texas, eventually joining General Tire in 1963. A promotion to District Credit Manager in 1969 took the family to Irving, Texas, and a later promotion to Regional Credit Manager for General Tire’s San Francisco Region brought them to Pleasanton, California.

During their Pleasanton years, all three children married, and Jane Collins, Roy Goble, and Sandi Cox became part of the family.

In 1979, Fayne joined Ad Art Sign Company in Stockton, California. In 1981 he became self-employed, managing 14 rental homes. This work led him to obtain his General Contractor’s license, allowing him to renovate homes for over 25 years. It was a role that fit his steady, practical nature.

With more time on their hands, Fayne and Mava began to travel. They loved to cruise, seeing the world on more than 100 voyages. During this season of life, they were blessed with six grandchildren: Rachel Goble Hara, Katie Wolford Reitter, Rebecca Wolford Beams, Jedd Goble, Matthew Wolford, and Jessica Wolford, and later seven great-grandchildren.

Fayne was active in the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Shriners International, the Tulebug Parade Unit, SIRs, PALS, and Mayfair Christian Church.

Fayne loved popcorn, black licorice, a good bridge game and cruising the open sea with Mava by his side. His dry sense of humor, great shoulder rubs, and quick smile will be missed by all.