Russell Wolfe was born in 1938 to Russell and Rose Wolfe. He enjoyed the life of an only child, receiving all the attention from his loving parents as he grew up in Gilroy. Russell attended Rucker School and Gilroy High School. After graduation, Russell began working for the Santa Clara County Roads and Airports Department as a heavy equipment operator. He worked for the county for 35 years. Shortly after starting his career with the county, he married his wife of 59 years, Terry. Russell and Terry enjoyed raising their son Kyle. Russell supported his son's 4-H endeavors by serving as a 4-H woodworking leader. He also kept the Gilroy High School FFA Boosters active for many years after his son had graduated. After retiring from the county, Russell enjoyed watching his two grandsons. As they got older, he attended all of their sporting events and enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time at the ranch with them. Russell was also fond of attending car shows in his 1931 Ford Model A Coupe that he restored with friends and family.

Russell is preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Rose Wolfe and his wife of 59 years, Terry. He is survived by his son Kyle (Dana), his grandsons Wyatt and Emmitt, and his nieces Debby Kline (Duffy and Nicki), Darcy Bettencourt (Lester, Amanda, and Lester Jr.) and nephew Darren Dieber.