Dr. John Clarence Wolfe

1925 - 2009

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Dr. John Clarence Wolfe, passed away on Oct. 18, 2009, to the sadness of his family and many friends.

John was born in Independence, Mo., on March 23, 1925 to Clarence and Alice Wolfe. John enjoyed his early school years in a one-room schoolhouse - Pink Hill School - in Grain Valley, Mo. After completing the eighth grade at Pink Hill, John attended Independence High School. John's education was interrupted by World War II. His family wasn't allotted enough gas coupons to allow him to drive into town for school so he was unable to complete his senior year.

John joined the US Navy in 1943 and was selected to officers' training and was sent to the University of Washington in Seattle. Paulina joined him in Seattle and they were married in June 1944. John was transferred from Washington to the University of California, Los Angeles that same June and was commissioned as an ensign after getting his bachelor's degree in naval science from UCLA. John received his teaching credential and his master's degree in education administration from USC while teaching in Hawthorne and Compton.

John and Paulina moved to Ventura in 1955 and he switched from the classroom to the business office. He further received his doctorate in school business administration from USC. John retired as Associate Superintendent from the Ventura Unified School District in 1987.

John's proudest achievements were his 65-year marriage to his beloved wife, Paulina, his six children: Gary (wife Ann) Wolfe of Ventura, Terry (wife Gail) Wolfe of Walworth, N.Y., Larry (wife Liz) Wolfe of Rancho Santa Fe, Tim (wife Terri) Wolfe of Oak View, Tom (wife Taylor) Wolfe of Ventura and Mary (husband Dave) Wallace of Ventura and two nieces that became part of the family, Kim Coontz of Davis, Calif., and Paula Ramsum of Arroyo Grande, Calif.

He was also extremely proud of his eighteen grandchildren (Terry Jr., Todd, Carrie, Kenny, Jenny, Alisa, Shawn, Courtney, Becky, John, Michelle, Kelli, Taylor, Alex, Mitchell, Abby, Lindsay, and Payton) and eight great-grandchildren (Michael, Alyvia, Tommy, Nathaniel, Ian, Joey, Ellen and Julia).

John is also survived by his brothers, James Wolfe of Pulaski, Va. and Hubert Wolfe of Climax Springs, Mo. His oldest brother, Robert Wolfe, Pink Hill, Mo., predeceased him.

His favorite pastime was spending time with his family and friends. During their retirement years, John and Paulina enjoyed many R.V. trips across the United States and Canada including trips to northern Alaska and southern Mexico. He also volunteered for many activities, such as serving as president of the Ventura Rotary Club, president of the California Association of School Business Officials, and as president of the Ventura Retired Professional and Business Men's Club. He will be deeply missed.

Visitation will take place Friday, Oct. 23, from 3-8 p.m.. at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. A celebration of John's life will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, at 10 a.m. in the chapel at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, with The Reverend Charles Simmons officiating. Burial will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.

Memorial contributions may be made to one's favorite charity.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, Ventura.