James Albert Wolf Jr.

James Albert Wolf, Jr., (Jim), age 86, of Mebane, NC, passed away Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Duke University Hospital following a brief illness.

A native of Millsboro, Delaware, Mr. Wolf was born on July 24, 1939, the son of the late James Wolf, Sr. and Alma Donaway Wolf. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, John Wolf, and daughter Kimberly Wolf Wood.

Jim is survived by his wife of thirty years, Lynne-Anne Wolf; daughters Regina DeFreitas (Lou), Lisa Long, and Whitney Heyward (Rick); step-daughters Lana Bull (Carl) and Melissa Hinchey (Mike); grandchildren Danielle Carey (Jared), D.J. Long (Kailee), Lauren Brown (Alex), Jesse Long (Brittany), Dustin Reynolds, Jason DeFreitas (Laura), Josh DeFreitas (Shelby), Alex Heyward, and Addy Heyward, Reese Cooper, Brooklynn Bull, Jonathan Barlow (Shannon), Adam Barlow, and Ian Barlow; as well as ten great grandchildren and one on the way.

He was appointed a Recruit Trooper by the Delaware State Police on January 1, 1963, and graduated from the 22nd Academy Recruit Class. During his career, he was assigned to Troop 2, State Road; Troop 4, Georgetown, and the Aviation Section. He served as a Patrol Trooper, Troop 2, a Detective, Troop 4 and in 1970 was transferred to the Aviation Section for helicopter training. In 1970, the United States Department of Transportation awarded a grant to the Delaware Highway Safety Coordinator's Office for the intended purchase of a helicopter and pilot training. 

This marked the creation of the Delaware State Police Aviation Section, which exists today, as five troopers were transferred into the section for full-time duty. The new helicopter would be used for transporting injured people from accident scenes and for aerial patrolling of the highways. The pilots were trained at an eight-week school in Trenton, New Jersey, in November 1970. Lieutenant Jim Wolf #247 retired on January 1, 1983. Following his retirement from Delaware State Police, he continued to fly as an EMS Pilot in several major cities until finally retiring in 2007. Following retirement, he was actively involved in K9 Search and Rescue.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Walker’s Funeral Home, Mebane, NC, is honored to serve the family of Mr. Wolf.