John Franklin Wells

1926 - 2022

John Franklin Wells
December 24, 1926 - June 23, 2022
John Franklin Wells, a North Dakota transplant and proud Oaklander, died of natural causes on June 23, 2022, at the age of 95. He spent the last decades of his life enjoying wine country living with his wife, Lois, at their retirement home in Sonoma.
Born in Jamestown, North Dakota, on December 24th, 1926, John's midwestern family roots were firmly seeded in the small town of Robinson. John was raised the youngest of four children by his parents, Verne and Orpha Wells, along with siblings Jane, Robert, and Esther. While in high school, John met Mary Kooker, who followed John to Jamestown College after John's two years (1944-46) in the army, the last of which was as an M.P. in France guarding supply trains. Both graduated from Jamestown College (Class of '49) and were married soon after on August 14th.
John and Mary moved to Palo Alto, California, so John could attend Stanford Law School (Class of '52), where he became editor of the Law Review. Little did he know, John was joining future Supreme Court Justices William Rehnquist and Sandra Day O' Connor. John finished #2 in the class, behind Rehnquist, a friend who was his polar opposite politically. John was interviewed to clerk for Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, but "missed it by that much," according to interviewer Stan Sparrow, #2 once again. Stan instead decided to hire John to join their Oakland law firm, Stark and Champlin. John's impeccable reputation as an ethical civil litigation attorney included extraordinary highlights: social justice endeavors managing voter registration efforts in Mississippi (1965), and successfully litigating a class-action lawsuit before the Supreme Court (1984). He relished the opportunity to mentor young attorneys, who recall both his high standards and his spontaneous renditions of Gilbert and Sullivan tunes.
Throughout his notable 45-year law career, John's dedication to truth and justice was second only to his devotion to family. John and Mary lived in Palo Alto, Montclair, North Oakland, and San Lorenzo, before settling in Oakland in 1962, where they raised their six children: David, Jimmy, Bobby, Timmy, Mary, and Jane. An annual vacation to the Minnesota lake country kept them in contact with the northern Wellses and the Kooker families. John sang in the church choir, managed championship little league baseball teams, and reveled along with Mary watching their children perform on and off the court, field, and stage, a fantastical journey that ended way too soon when Mary passed away from cancer in 1974.
John's zest for life could not be extinguished. He met and fell in love with Lois Peterson, who had two children of her own, Mike and Doug. They were married in Oakland on April 10, 1976, and soon found themselves moving near Washington, D.C. for his year-long sabbatical, accompanied by John's daughters Mary and Jane, and Lois's son Doug. They were in time to celebrate the country's Bicentennial at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, along with a million other celebrants. John volunteered at the DNC, and he traveled (along with Lois) to Puerto Rico to oversee a delegate dispute. They later attended the Democratic Convention in New York City, followed by President Carter's inauguration and an inaugural ball.
It was the beginning of many shared experiences. Lois enjoyed attending John's jury trials and was always ready with her observations. They traveled extensively throughout Europe and the U.K., avoiding tours and traveling independently, setting their own pace. Italy was their favorite destination, and they were able to visit Egypt and Russia in more tranquil times. At home, they visited friends and relatives on the east coast and managed several return trips to their honeymoon hotel in New Orleans' French Quarter. An African cruise ended in a Kenyan safari, during which Lois suffered a back injury that put a crimp in their future plans. A cruise from Chile to Argentina was their last hurrah, Lois's mobility having become an issue. Living in Sonoma, after all, was pretty much like being on vacation, and they made the most of it, hosting BBQ's and brunches in the shade of mature trees, while the kids took advantage of the common pool. The large gathering for the 4th of July BBQ was a tradition, on the deck overlooking the fireworks display. Family picnics at local wineries were a favorite pastime. Holiday entertaining, both in Oakland and Sonoma, featured food, fun and music. A chance to listen to jazz or take to the dance floor always beckoned, as did romantic stays in San Francisco to celebrate Lois's December birthday.
John loved golf, discussing politics, playing charades, making a good argument, dressing as Dracula on Halloween, and rooting for his beloved Stanford Cardinal. "It's a Wonderful Life" indeed, one John acknowledged he was blessed to have lived to its fullest. #2 on the charts, but always #1 in our hearts.
John is survived by his wife Lois Wells, his children Robert Joseph (and wife Laurie), Timothy Wayne (and wife Fran), Mary Catherine (and husband Paul Cutone), and Jane Elizabeth, daughter-in-law Jodie Burton Wells, stepsons Michael Frank (and wife Mary) and Douglas Rand (and wife Joanne), sixteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his first wife Mary Kooker Wells and his sons David Lloyd, James John (and wife Connie), and former son-in-law Troy Mardian.
A service celebrating John's life will be held on Saturday, August 20 at 2 PM at the Joaquin Miller Community Center, 3594 Sanborn Dr. located in Joaquin Miller Park, Oakland, California. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite liberal cause or consider a donation to the Burbank YMCA Social Impact Center for racial justice and LGBTQ youth, https://www.burbankymca.org/social-impact-center.