Edward James Wootten, 58, died Wednesday, March 21.
He was born March 31, 1953 in Havertown, Pennsylvania, and raised in Milford, Delaware. He attended the University of Delaware for a few years until he joined the United States Navy, serving as a cook for 13 years. He served first on the submarine USS Von Steuben, then on the frigate USS Gridley, and later on the frigate USS Meyerkord. While serving in the Navy, it was through mutual friends he met the love of his life, Carol, and married her six months later. They made their home in Charleston, South Carolina while he was enlisted, and upon him transferring to the reserves moved to Watsonville, California to be closer to Carol's family. Five years after they were married their son was born. After his naval service he worked in restaurants and cafes in Watsonville, then Fresno, Manteca, Escalon, and Oakdale. Later he and his wife started their own janitorial business serving the San Joaquin area.
Mr. Wootten will be remembered for being sentimental, compassionate, a listener, a provider, caring, there when needed, lover of his family, friends, and his church. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Carol; son, Jeremy; sister, Edith; and brother, John.
He was preceded in death by his father, Francis; mother, Charlotte; brothers, James, William, and Joseph.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 31. He will be laid to rest at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. For condolences to the family, visit his online guestbook at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com.
Deegan Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
March 28, 2012
He was born March 31, 1953 in Havertown, Pennsylvania, and raised in Milford, Delaware. He attended the University of Delaware for a few years until he joined the United States Navy, serving as a cook for 13 years. He served first on the submarine USS Von Steuben, then on the frigate USS Gridley, and later on the frigate USS Meyerkord. While serving in the Navy, it was through mutual friends he met the love of his life, Carol, and married her six months later. They made their home in Charleston, South Carolina while he was enlisted, and upon him transferring to the reserves moved to Watsonville, California to be closer to Carol's family. Five years after they were married their son was born. After his naval service he worked in restaurants and cafes in Watsonville, then Fresno, Manteca, Escalon, and Oakdale. Later he and his wife started their own janitorial business serving the San Joaquin area.
Mr. Wootten will be remembered for being sentimental, compassionate, a listener, a provider, caring, there when needed, lover of his family, friends, and his church. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Carol; son, Jeremy; sister, Edith; and brother, John.
He was preceded in death by his father, Francis; mother, Charlotte; brothers, James, William, and Joseph.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 31. He will be laid to rest at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. For condolences to the family, visit his online guestbook at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com.
Deegan Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
March 28, 2012
