Howard B. Wolf

Howard Wolf was born on June 7, 1919 in Joplin, Missouri. He died in Dallas on June 28, 2011 at 92, from complications following a fall. Howard came naturally to the American fashion industry. He inherited a love of women's fashion from his father who was a merchant in his own right. Howard Wolf always had an eye for quality and often said “I am a recognizer”. He certainly recognized his path was Dallas when he met Lois Casper. Actually, he often said that’s when his life began. They married in 1942 and he started travelling the Southeastern part of the country as a sales representative. From selling regionally he progressed to manufacturing nationally.

There’s no talking about Howard Wolf the man without emphasizing the importance of Howard B. Wolf, Inc. One of the many firsts during its 40 plus years was in 1971, when the company, the first Texas based apparel manufacturer, was listed on the American Stock Exchange. Howard Wolf was already a recognized label when he signed the first lease in the new Dallas Apparel Mart, won the Braniff Fashion Award and participated in Neiman-Marcus’ first Italian Fortnight, with a collection designed of fine Italian fabrics made especially for the event. Howard Wolf was recognized as well made, better designed apparel, filling a niche in many specialty shops and fine stores across the country.

Howard Wolf was an elegant, well-spoken gentleman, always dignified and appropriate. In addition to business, Howard dedicated time and energy to charity. Early on he co-chaired Pacesetters at the Jewish Federation, helping preserve the state of Israel. He helped found, fund and preside over Golden Acres, Home for the Jewish Aged, remaining an active board member until Legacy at Willow Bend and Legacy at Preston Hollow were completed. For more than six decades, Howard attended Temple Emanu-El as congregant and lay leader. Both SMU and UT Dallas will benefit for many years from funding for a social justice scholarship and a pediatric hearing professorship, respectively. Dallas Arts institutions also received his notice. Important works of art were donated to the Dallas Museum of Art, the Howard Wolf Couture Fashion Library was donated to University of North Texas and Wolf Family funds contributed toward the creation of many of the buildings we now call the Arts District.

Howard is survived by Lois, his loving wife and partner of 69 years; his three children and their spouses, Robert and Jamey Wolf, Howard Wolf and Norm and Andrea Wolf Bleicher; his five grandchildren David and Stacy Wolf Blank, Steven and Lauren Wolf Trahan, Clayton and Gabriela Villamizar-Wolf Jones, Trey Wolf and Rachel Wolf; and four great-grandchildren, Jake and Benjamin Blank and Sofia and Samuel Jones; his brother and sister-in-law, Max and Marilyn Tonkon; nephews and nieces and a loving family. A memorial service will be held in the Olan Sanctuary at Temple Emanu-El, 8500 Hillcrest, on Thursday, June 30, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Howard’s name to Callier Center at UT Dallas, Temple-Emanu-El, Legacy at Willow Bend or the charity of your choice.