Dennis Woolley

Dennis Robert Woolley Jr., 41, formerly of St. Joseph, died suddenly after a brief illness, on Sunday, March 5, 2006, at his home in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Known as “Chip” during his youth, he was born on March 26th, 1964, at the Marine Corps Base Hospital in 29 Palms, California. As the young child of a Marine Officer, he moved around to many places prior to the family settling in St. Joseph, including Kodiak, Alaska, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Quantico, Virginia. He attended Hollywood Elementary and Lakeshore Junior High School. He is a 1982 graduate of Lake Michigan Catholic High School where he was very active in athletics. He was a key member of the 1980 Red Arrow Football Conference Champion Lakers. The following season he was recognized as an All Conference Linebacker. A dedicated and passionate wrestler, he was a 2 time Red Arrow Conference champion. In the spring of 1982 he won both the class “C” district and regional wrestling crowns, pinning all 3 of his opponents during the regional tournament. However, it was on the golf course that he discovered his true love. He graduated from Ferris State University with a degree in Professional Golf Management and enjoyed a career as a teaching pro at various golf clubs along the east coast. Continuing a family tradition, he enlisted in the United State Marine Corps Reserve in 1985 where he proudly served in the infantry. In 1991, following his initial honorable discharge, he was recalled to active duty during the US buildup prior to Operation Desert Storm. Most recently he was the Director of Marketing for Fairfield Resports in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, where he faithfully followed the Chicago Cubs and lived a life that most can only dream of in his Caribbean paradise. He is survived by his parents, Dennis and Nan Woolley of Benton Harbor, and his brothers, Andrew of Austin, Texas, and Benjamin of Grand Rapids. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 A.M., Monday, March 13, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph. Friends may call on the family from 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 12, at Kerley-Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, the Woolley family requests that donations be made to the Evans Scholarship Fund of the Western Golf Association. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guestbook online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com