Tom H Rolf

Tom Harlin Rolf passed away at home in El Centro on September 20th 2026
with his loved ones by his side. He was proceeded in death by his parents
Alvin Faulk, Nan and Raymond Rolf, daughter Debra Rolf and his wife of
46 years Pauline Rolf. He is survived by his wife of 21 years Josefina Rolf,
son Raymond Rolf (Sara), daughter Darlene Rolf (Terri), step son Homero
De La Peña (Joanna), grandsons Joel Rolf (Jessica), Aaron Martinez,
Granddaughter Kenna Mercado, step grandchildren Amber, Israel and
Chelsea De La Peña and 7 great-grandchildren.

Tom was born in Tahlequah Oklahoma to Nan and Alvin Faulk in 1931. He
was adopted around the age of 10 by CPT. Raymond Rolf, U.S. Army, his
mother Nans second husband. He grew up in Oklahoma, Georgia,
Kentucky and Minnesota where he experienced some of his fondest
memories.

His Father Raymond taught him the love of fishing, golf, bird hunting, the
outdoors and instilled a respect and desire in him to join the armed forces
which he did at the age of 19. He enlisted in the United States Air Force
and training though out the country in communications and electronics and
eventually was stationed at Navel Air Facility El Centro in 1954 –1970 with
the 6511th Parachute Test Group. He became a master parachutist, testing
ejection seats, and recovery parachute testing for the NASA Mercury,
Gemini and Apollo space programs. He was so proud of his time in the Air
Force and especially with the 6511th. He became a Senior Master Sergeant
and retired from the Air Force in 1970. Then he began his career in Federal
civil service at NAF El Centro continuing his work with the Air Force,
working at the 101 bombing range overseeing aircraft drops, shuttle
booster recovery parachute testing and range operations and a multitude of
other assignments until his retirement from civil service in 1996. During this
time frame he also started a small business in 1970, Clean Sweep Janitor

Service, it grew to 20+ employees and he continued to run it until his
daughter Darlene took over in 1999 and he final retired for good.

A few years after arriving in El Centro he met his future wife Pauline
Ruano. They were introduced by mutual friends in Holtville CA. where she
lived. Pauline said the first thing she noticed about him was how
sunburned he was, it was the Imperial Valley after all. The first thing he
noticed about her was how beautiful she was and shortly thereafter learned
that beauty was the same on the inside. And Pauline learned very quickly
what a good kind man he was and they fell in love and married in 1956.
Their first born was Raymond born in 1956, followed by Debra in 1959 and
Darlene in 1962. Fatherhood came to him naturally, and with Pauline as a
strong loving force they creating a wonderful life together for 46 years that
brought them their three children and eventually grandchildren and great
grandchildren to carry on their legacy. They traveled the country with their
family, national parks, camping and fishing in any body of water he could
find. Those summer vacations created so many cherished memories for the
whole family, memories that Ray and Darlene will hold close forever.

He lost his daughter Debra to an asthma attack in Hawaii in 1991 at the
age of 32 yrs old, something he never got over. He also lost his wife of 46
years to cancer in 2003 which left him lost, and speaking of them all these
years later the pain of those losses was always ever present.

His good fortune in life brought another gift when he met Josefina
Gutiérrez. He saw her in Walmart and apparently followed her from one
section to the next until he eventually introduced himself and asked her to
have a drink at the McDonald’s which they did. He then carried her
groceries to the car and got her number and that is how it began. They
married in 2005 and shared 21 wonderful years together. They shared
many trips, family gatherings and created a wonderful life making many

memories together and with her family. He was lucky, in her he found a
loving partner that stood by his side strong and unwavering to the end.

The family would like to thank the Veterans Affairs and Unicare. With a
special thanks to the wonderful care givers from Right at Home, Reyna,
Cristal and Martha for the compassion, comfort and loving care they
provided to Tom and his family. We are forever grateful.

Services for Tom Harlin Rolf will be on October 7th at 11:00 am, at Frye
Chapel Mortuary 338 W. Aten Rd. Imperial CA. 92251