In Memory

Gary Hugh Wolfe

GARY HUGH WOLFE (age 70) Of Goodyear, AZ died October 11, 2016. He was born May 14, 1946 in Knoxville, TV and adopted by Austin Hugh and Ada Lena Wolfe. In his youth, Gary played the banjo and was a member of the Boy Scouts. He graduated from Lewis & Clark High School in 1964 and went on to serve in the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam era, 1966-1969. In 1974 Gary graduated from Eastern with a BA in Journalism. He had a long, 20-year career with the IRS. He settled in Arizona with his daughter and her family. Gary is survived by his daughter, Stacy Perez; sisters, Barbara Vande Vanter, Diamond Lake, WA and Bonita Bell-Andersen, Spokane, WA; two grandchildren, Mikayla and Landon Perez; three nieces and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Hugh Wolfe and his mother, Ada Wolfe. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on November 7, 2016 at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, 21702 W. Espanola Rd., Medical Lake, WA 99022. The family suggests that donations be made to Priest Lake Memory Garden.

 



 
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10/31/16 10:08 AM #1    

Terry Sullivan

 

Gary's passing has triggered some memories because we have a history dating back to the 50's.  He lived on 28th between Tekoa and Division, and I lived at 31st and Division.  Skip Wood lived just west of Division on 28th.  Since first grade at Manito Primary, Gary and Skipper would  regularly come by to get me on the way to school.  Gary Singer lived just west of me on 31st. Dick Chaplin and Dick Taylor lived on 30th west of Division.  Walt Genor and Bruce Maxwell lived on west 32nd, and so did Jeff Pohl.  Janet Satre lived on 33rd west of Division. Gordon Gray lived on 33rd and Division.  Nick Suksdorf lived on west 35th, and Jimmy Valen lived on 35th and Division.  So we would meet others on the way, but  Gary was the one I remember the most.   I vividly recall skating and sledding at Manito Park with him, playing baseball at Manito Primary, and picking plums from the tree in his backyard.  I was SO impressed with Gary when he walked onto front and center of the Jefferson stage during a talent show, sat on a chair and put on a banjo solo that rocked the house!  As a grade schooler, it must have been my subconscious that recognizeed his steadiness, humility and good attitude because he was ALWAYS a great guy to do stuff with.  His family made me feel welcome when I stayed over.  Friends of mine bought the home from Gary's parents; and when I walked through it in the 70's the happy times there as a kid came back strong.  The plum tree was still there.  After graduation from Jefferson, I lost contact with him and others from the hood because I went to G-Prep and we moved to 3905 Skyview Drive.

So when I read the obits in the Spokesman yesterday, I was saddened to see his photo. I last saw him at the LC 50th Reunion.  Because Donnie Johnson's wife was unable to go, he got me invited to the LC 25th Reunion, and I got back in touch with Gary and other LC ers after a separation dating back to the summer of 1960. Being included In subsequnt reunions is an honor my wife and I treasure.  When I walked into the Davenport on Friday night of the 25th reunion, Gary was one of the first classmates I saw.  He had a beard but I recognized him immediately,  along with  some of you reading this.  He recognized me but did a double-take when he saw me with Donnie.  He came right over, pretty amazed that I was there.  Throughout that weekend, I felt like I had come back from the dead.  The value of friendship between Gary and me was obvious to both of us.  I can see him now -  smiling in disbelief!  I had a some very good visits with him during the 50th, and I have a photo of him, Gordon Gray and me in the Manito Park gazebo on that Sunday.  Both of them are gone but I will always have great memoriies from our grade school friendship that lasted over 60 years.  My gratitude for being allowed to be a part of the LC Class of '64 continues...

THANK YOU for your friendship, Gary!  You enriched my life.  See you on the other side...

Terry Sullivan, Class of '64 


11/01/16 04:45 PM #2    

Nicholas Mumm Suksdorf

I too was saddened to read of Gary's passing.  For all the reasons Terry mentioned and more.  Loved when we stayed at his folks place on Priest Lake and slept in the bunkhouse by the cabin and water ski'd (sp?) behind a little aluminum boat with a whopping 25HP motor.  Rest in peace buddy.

 


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