John Charles Wolfe, Ph.D

John Charles Wolfe, Ph.D., died peacefully in his sleep on September 23, 2024, at the age of 89, in Melbourne, Florida. He was born October 3, 1934, in Tracy, Minnesota, the son of Charles Franklin Wolfe and Blanche Irene Tague Wolfe.

Dr. Wolfe referred to himself as “just a poor boy from Illinois”. At Lakeview High School (Decatur, Illinois) he was a five-letter athlete starring in football, basketball, baseball, track, and cross country, as well as being class president his senior year. He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Millikin University (Decatur, Illinois), a Master’s in Psychology from Bradley University (Peoria, Illinois), and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Oklahoma (Norman, Oklahoma). During his career he held a variety of administrative/leadership positions, including National Director of Community Mental Health Centers, Director of the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and Director of AIDS Project Los Angeles. He also taught at the university level and maintained a small clinical practice. John loved to read, spend time eliciting laughter and joy with friends and family, and travel the world. His adventures took him to every state in the U.S., the Caribbean, China, Swaziland, South Africa, Kenya, New Zealand, Israel, Mexico, Ireland, Germany and throughout Europe, Switzerland, and Latvia. He loved animals, especially dogs. He hoped to be remembered as a good and kind man.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Wayne Eugene Wolfe, and his “beautiful bride” and “soulmate” of 43 years, Carole Lee Baker. He is survived by his loving family, including his daughters Faith Diehl, Hope Schutte, and Mary Duvall; stepsons Steven and Brian Goldman; 8 grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren; his first wife and mother of his children, Carol R. Napper; Wolfe stepbrothers in Ohio; and his beloved rescue pit bull mix and constant companion, Dino.

     A celebration of life is in the planning. If you would like to make a donation in John’s memory, please consider Ahimsa House of Tucker, GA, P.O. Box 2173, Tucker, GA, 30085, phone 404-496-4038.