James Edward Wolfe

James Edward Jim Wolfe, 91, from the Escondido Union High School class of 1939, passed away peacefully in his sleep Sunday, October 14, 2012 at his skilled nursing facility in Fullerton, California. He was surrounded by four of his seven loving children. Jim was born March 30, 1921 in Phoenix, Arizona to Edward and Ann (Murphy) Wolfe, longtime residents of Escondido. After graduating from EUHS, He attended Cal Berkeley and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Civil Engineering. His college career was interrupted by World War II where he served honorably in the South Pacific with the "Seabees" Construction Batallion and ultimately with the Navy on the USS Mercer. He fought valiantly in the battle of Bougainville. Returning home, he courted and married the former Dorothy Mae Bonds, EUHS class of 1941, in September of 1946. They ultimately settled in Pico Rivera, California where they raised their seven children. Jim was employed as a civil engineer and was instrumental in the invention and implementation of concrete mortar lining for large water pipes. He was a lifelong member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA). He was an important force with the San Gabriel Area Boy Scouts as the head of the Eagle Board of Review for many years. On the weekends, he enjoyed working for his Roman Catholic parish, St. Marianas, in Pico Rivera. After the earthquake of 1986, Jim and Dorothy relocated to La Verne, California, where they doted on their grandchildren. Jim is survived by his brother Jack, EUHS class of 1949, along with four of his five sons and his two daughters. He was proud of his childrens accomplishments: Bill Wolfe, a professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Ohio, Edward Wolfe, a prominent executive with a loss prevention firm, Margaret Peggy Wolfe, of Scottsdale, Arizona, a retired teacher and reading specialist, Dorothy Schwarze, a special education teacher in Camarillo, Walter Wolfe, a teacher at Loyola High School of Los Angeles, and Robert Wolfe, a prominent attorney and partner in the firm Engstrom, Lipscomb, and Lack of Los Angeles. He enjoyed his fourteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his second son James in 1995, and his wife, Dorothy Mae in 2005. A celebration of life service will be held at 9:30 am, Friday, October 19 at St. Marys Catholic Church, 400 West Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832. Family friend Fr. Gregory Goethals, S.J., President of Loyola High School of Los Angeles will be officiating. A private, family graveside service will follow at Oak Hill Memorial Cemetery in Escondido later that afternoon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Vitas Hospice Care of Orange County, 220 Commerce, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92602. Those wishing to sign Jims guestbook may do so at www.yourtribute.com or send them care of his son Walt at 803 Crescent Drive, Monrovia, CA 91016.