Darrell A. Wolfe

Darrell Alden Wolfe, 89, passed away on January 4, 2026, in Vancouver, Washington. A devoted husband, father, veteran, & friend, Darrell lived a life marked by service, dedication, & unwavering love for his family & country. Born on September 15, 1936, in Bethel Township, Pennsylvania, Darrell was the son of Charles A. Wolfe & Virginia Baker. From an early age, he embodied the values of hard work & resilience that would define his life. These qualities guided him through a remarkable career in the U.S. military & later as a truck driver. Darrell served honorably in three branches of the United States military: Regular Army (RA), Air Force (USAF), & Navy (USN) — over a distinguished 23-year career that spanned two wars. His service included two tours in Korea & three tours in Vietnam. He was attached to several units during his military tenure: the 24th S&T Battalion, the 740th AAA Battalion, the 7th Division Army in Korea, the 1405 Civil Engineering Squadron (MATS), & both MCB 5 and MCB 10 as a Seabee in Vietnam & beyond. Throughout his military career, Darrell received numerous commendations recognizing his valor & commitment. These included three National Defense Medals; Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars & Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Stars; FMF Combat Operations Insignia; Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device; Good Conduct Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Award with one Bronze Star Oak Leaf Cluster; United Nations Service Medal; Foreign Service Medal; Meritorious Unit Commendation; RVN Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross); First & Second Good Conduct Awards; & the Combat Action Ribbon. Following his active-duty retirement in 1975, Darrell continued to serve his country through ten additional years in the Fleet Reserve until 1986, a testament to his enduring dedication to national service. In 1969, while stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, Darrell met Masae, the woman who would become the love of his life. As he often fondly recalled, “The moment I saw her, I knew I was going to marry her.” They were wed on July 16, 1970, beginning a marriage that would span over 55 years. Their bond was unbreakable; Masae passed just three days before Darrell. He had fulfilled his promise to care for her until the end & found peace in joining her soon after. After retiring from military service, Darrell embarked on a second career as a truck driver. For thirty years he worked tirelessly on the road before retiring once more in 2004. His strong work ethic never wavered & he was known for being dependable & diligent in all he did. Outside of work & service, Darrell embraced life with enthusiasm. He loved golfing whenever he had the chance & found joy in deep sea fishing. He took pride in maintaining his home, gardening & lawn care were among his favorite ways to spend time outdoors. In his younger years, he also enjoyed deep sea diving. Darrell’s stories were legendary among those who knew him. Outgoing & friendly by nature, he relished sharing memories from his rich life experiences, whether from his travels abroad or adventures at home. He was loyal to those he loved & especially devoted to his family. He is lovingly remembered by his son Ronald; daughter Naomi; nieces Sonya Bedient & Nobuko Saika; & cousin Arlene Fairman. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Masae; parents Charles A. Wolfe & Virginia Baker; sister Sandra Rogers; brothers Ronald & Chuck; & nieces Terrie Wolfe & Barbara Archambeault. Darrell Alden Wolfe leaves behind a legacy of courage, love, loyalty, & strength. His life stands as a testament to duty fulfilling service to country & family alike. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him & serve as an enduring reminder of a life well lived.

Darrell A. Wolfe

September 15, 1936 - January 4, 2026