Fredrick Wolfley

Apr 13, 1942 -

Jul 17, 2020

Fredrick C. Wolfley "Fred" passed away peacefully at home in Anchorage on July 17, 2020, at the age of 78. Born on April 13, 1942, to Delbert and Beulah Wolfley in Corvallis, Ore., Fred spent his youth in Star Valley, Wyo. When he was seven, Fred lost his father to a heart attack, followed in 1959, by the death of his beloved sister Sally Gene in a traffic accident when she was 21. His mother never recovered from Sally's death and is said to have died of a broken heart soon after. Fred worked at a dairy farm while attending college and often spoke fondly of families that mentored him, gave him opportunities, and strengthened his belief to always help others. He graduated from Utah State with a teaching degree in 1964. A truck stop poster soliciting teachers for Alaska was a pivotal point for him. Fred applied and was hired on the spot. He arrived in Hoonah in 1965 as "The Wyoming Cowboy Reborn in Hoonah by the Sea." He soon fit into the village social structure of hunting, teaching, school sports, and fishing. With the purchase of an old wooden boat, "Her Highness," Fred commercial fished during the summer months. In 1969, Fred accepted a teaching job in Glennallen, Alaska. A fire at his Glennallen cabin was a setback as he lost everything and soon moved on to Anchorage in 1970, to teach sixth grade. In 1973, Fred transferred to the new Bartlett High School to teach social studies. Fred's storytelling abilities allowed him to spin a tale to make the most mundane civics lesson compelling. He was a popular teacher who could make even the shyest kid feel secure and special in his class. Fred taught and coached sports at Bartlett until his retirement 17 years later. He reflected that thousands of kids call him Mr. Wolfley, and he tried hard to never forget any of their names. Fred met Jan, the love of his life, at a party in 1970. Jan was in a neck brace due to an auto accident and Fred was in a full leg cast due to a snow machine accident. They soon found they had much in common and knew they were made for each other. They married in 1972. They purchased land on Lore Road with dreams to build a house and a horse ranch in the meadow. The F-Bar-J Ranch soon began to take shape with a barn, fences, stables for the horses, and the new home they designed together. They had dogs, cats, horses, and countless friends to enjoy their Alaskan dream. Fred's love of the ocean soon resulted in a new fishing boat, "The Medallion," moored in Seldovia, along with an airplane to get there and back. As the stables grew and prospered, Jan remained Fred's "greatest treasure." It was her skillful guidance and his jovial spirit that built the F-Bar-J Ranch. They traveled throughout Alaska to fish and hunt while Fred's flying adventures and knowledge of the Alaska Range and remote airstrips provided content for colorful stories with his favorite line of "Pull up on the throttle!" Together, Fred and Jan traveled to Africa, Australia, and Europe creating lifelong friendships along the way. Fred was preceded in death by his treasured wife in 2013, a loss from which he never fully recovered. Fred is survived by his special cousin, JP Robinson; and his honorary daughter, Christina Eneix. His passing is felt deeply by loved ones from Alaska to Wyoming to Las Vegas to Australia. A special acknowledgement of gratitude goes to Mary Shields, Frank Dunham and Evelia Sanchez for always looking out for Fred and caring for him when he needed it most. Due to the pandemic, we are unable to schedule a memorial service at this time. You will be contacted when a Celebration of Life can be scheduled. You are invited to send stories and/or pictures to be included in a memorial book and video to fredwolfley@gmail.com.