Gale Robert Wolfe

Gale Robert Wolfe, 81, passed away on Saturday, October 5, 2013 surrounded by family. He was born April 23, 1932 in Iuka, Illinois to Carlie and Ina (Meador) Wolfe. He married the love of his life, Alice "Marlene" Paine on February 10, 1951 in Ogden, Utah He served in the USAF from 1952 to 1956 as a fire-fighter, instructor and crash rescueman. He went on to work for Hill AFB retiring in 1970. He was an accomplished musician and made the mandolin sing. He was very gifted in music and could play any instrument by ear. He never had a lesson, picked it up at age 5 and began playing. He has taught many others to play. He followed his dream and played in the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN, and was known as the master of the mandolin. He held various positions after retirement, including playing Santa Claus for over 25 years. He and his wife, Marlene, were foster parents for the Children's Aid Society for 16 years. He once again followed his dreams and became a minister with the Pentecostal Church of God in Utah and Arizona. He is survived by two sisters; Helen Nadine Woodward and Edna May (Jim) Sutton; one son, Robert (Brenda) Wolfe of Gilbert, AZ and 5 daughters, Sandra (William) Graves of Mesa, AZ; Deanna Wolfe (Cindy Lundquist, special friend) of Ogden; Glenda (Sonny) Salas of North Ogden; Penny (David) Ruiz of Ogden and Sherry (Demitrius) Nelson of Clearfield; 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. The grandkids called him "Happy" and he always had fun things for them to do, learn or eat. He is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years; his parents, three brothers, Samuel "Everett", Glen, and Clarence; one sister, Julia Hammon and daughter-in-law, Kathy Wolfe. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2013 at 11 am at Aaron's Mortuary, 496 24th Street, Ogden, Utah. A viewing will be held at 10 am prior to services. Interment at Lindquist's Washington Heights Memorial Park. Special thanks to one unofficially adopted daughter, Coundy Judkins James who is phenomenal; Applegate Hospice, especially Bonnie and Dr. Jenkins; the staff at Lotus Park Assisted Living for being so kind, loving and patient; and his friends at Chancellor Gardens and Wasatch Care Facility. We love and thank you all for all the differences you made and continue to make.