Dean Wolfe

1947 - 2024

Dean was a thoughtful, humble man, a loving husband, father, and brother. He lived his life with honor and integrity, as a man of faith. Born in Austin City, Minnesota on October 28, 1947, Dean and his family moved to Napa, California in 1955. His father, Dr. W. George Wolfe, was a surgeon, first at Parks Victory Hospital and then at the new Queen of the Valley Hospital. Dean grew up on Big Ranch Road. He was active in the Boy Scouts and the Napa Swim Club, breaking state records in State swimming meets in 1964 and 1965.

Dean made his first solo flight on his 16th birthday, earning his Private Pilot's license by his 17th. After graduating from Napa High School in 1965, he went on to San Jose State College to earn an Aeronautical Operations Degree in 1969. Shortly after college, Dean joined the United States Air Force , graduating top of his class in Pilot Training. He completed both T-37 and T-38 training as number one in his class and was a Distinguished Graduate. While serving in Cambodia and Vietnam, he transported military equipment and supplies throughout South Asia. He was honorably discharged from Active Duty in 1973, as a First Lieutenant. He served in the USAF Reserves until honorably discharged in 1992.

Dean went to work for Flying Tigers in 1978, flying 747s and DC 8s to Southeast Asia. Flying Tigers was bought by Fed Ex in 1989 and he continued with Fed Ex until he retired in 2007. In 1981, Dean met Helen Brown, a flight instructor pilot for Bridgeford Flying Service at the Napa County Airport. They married in 1982 and moved onto the Brown Ranch on Hardman Avenue. A son, Alex, was born in 1984, soon followed by a daughter, Andrea, in 1986. A few years before retiring, Dean began developing a vineyard. After retirement, this became his life work.

He was so grateful for his family, his vines, and his flying career. Off the ranch, Dean loved spending time on the family island on The Lake of the Woods, near Kenora, Ontario, Canada.

Dean is survived by: his wife of 42 years, Helen, his son Alex, his daughter Andrea, and her husband Brian Shovelain, their children Shane, Walker, and Quinn; his brother Timothy Wolfe, wife Cindy, nieces Megan and Sarah Wolfe, and nephew Jacob Wolfe; Dean's sister, Ingalisa Younger, niece Lea Boggs and nephew Cole Younger; step-mother, Antonie Wolfe.

Dean's parents, Dr. W. George Wolfe, Hjordis Wolfe, and brother, Eric Wolfe, predeceased him.