Harold Johnston Wolfinger |
| Posted 2008-10-22 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, October 18, 2008 Harold Johnston Wolfinger, age 94, passed away on Monday, Oct. 14, 2008, in Prescott at his home in the Las Fuentes Assisted Living Community. Harold was born on April 8, 1914, in Waynesboro, Pa., and was the son of Vernon E. and Flora May (Johnston) Wolfinger. He graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1932, attended College at Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C., and obtained a graduate degree in law from Yale University in 1939. After graduating from law school, Harold worked in Baltimore, Md., for a private law firm and for Western Electric as a union negotiator. He married Frances Van Loan in June of 1940, and three of their five children were born during the years they resided in that city. While in Baltimore, Frances developed health and sinus problems, which led to their decision to move to Arizona in 1947. Having few connections to Arizona, Harold and Frances arrived by car to investigate the state. Hot weather and muggy swamp coolers in Douglas and Tucson compelled them to travel north to visit Prescott, and the climate, beautiful scenery and a friendly community atmosphere all contributed to their desire to stay. While in Prescott, a local realtor showed them a limited number of homes to purchase as the war had curtailed construction and available housing. At 303 Park Ave., they found a home and purchased the corner property for $12,000. There they raised their children and became the proud owners of the first Dalmatian in Prescott. At the time of relocation, Arizona had a one-year residency requirement before Harold could take the state bar exam and practice law in this state. Consequently, Harold first obtained employment as editor of the Yavapai Messenger in 1947. In his family memoirs, he remembers that news was scant and, as the paper's editor and sole reporter, he had little time to investigate local news events and often resorted to re-editing and publishing articles from the Arizona Republic and Prescott Courier. When Harold established residency in Arizona in 1948, he took and passed the Arizona bar examination. Shortly after becoming licensed to practice law, Harold did the unthinkable - re-registering as a Republican - to run for the office of the Yavapai County Attorney. This was at a time when the Republican Party's membership in Yavapai County was substantially outnumbered and Democratic incumbents dominated local elected offices. He lost that election to Dave Palmer Sr., but it opened opportunities for him in the community, including his appointment as Prescott City Attorney, a post in which he served until 1960. In addition to his legal work for the city, Harold was a law partner with Ed Locklear and, for over two decades, the law firm of Locklear and Wolfinger maintained a busy office on the top floor of the First National Bank Building at the corner of Gurley and Cortez streets. After Ed's death around 1971, Harold continued as senior partner in a legal practice that recruited other partners and associates before he established and maintained a sole practice in the mid- to late-1980s. In 2005, Harold retired from the practice of law after a 65-year career, during which he provided legal services to countless persons in this community. Harold was an elected member of the governing board of the Prescott Unified School District from 1965-1974. He was president of the State Bar from 1969-1970, an active member of the Kiwanis club, a founding member of the Yavapai Symphony Association, and a crucial advocate for the establishment of a legal services office in Prescott. After his first wife's death, Harold married Jean (Barber) Wolfinger in May of 1988. They enjoyed travel and each other's companionship for two decades. She preceded him in death by six weeks. Harold's legacy and heritage in Prescott has been prominently marked by his compassion and gentleness toward people, by his love and support for his family, by his fairness and competence as a lawyer and human being, and by his amazingly kind and humble heart. He was truly a gentleman in every sense of the word, and he touched and helped the lives of many people in this community. He is survived by his five children, Henry, Martha, Ellen, Jonathan and Ethan; and seven grandchildren. A celebration of Harold's life is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, at the First Congregational Church, 216 E. Gurley St., in Prescott, Ariz. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that memorial contributions be made to the Salvation Army or First Congregation Church. Please visit www.hamptonfuneralhome.com to sign Harold's guest book. Services entrusted to Hampton Funeral Home. Information provided by survivors. |
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