Jeffrey David Wootton

Jeff Wootton, a loving husband and father, died September 25, 2021 at age 75 as a result of Lewy Body Dementia. He passed away peacefully at home in Santa Barbara.

Jeff was born on July 8, 1946 in Auckland, New Zealand to Percy and Dorothy Wootton. It was there that he had his schooling and began a long career in the computer software field that spanned nearly 50 years.

While on a week long trip for adventurous singles in Hawaii, he met and was smitten with a woman named Karen Jeffries from California. They married on June 25, 1983 in Riverside, CA and later moved to Santa Barbara in 1989. Although Jeff lived in the USA for the rest of his life, he maintained his New Zealand citizenship and considered himself a “Kiwi.”

They welcomed two daughters to the family: Julie in 1988 and Angela in 1990. Jeff’s life revolved around his family and taking care of them. He and Karen were longtime members of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.

Jeff was a man of few words, but when he spoke, he was kind, wise, and intelligent. Many happy family memories were made on RV “rig trips” around the western United States. He had a knack for skillfully backing the trailer into even the narrowest campsites. He loved boogie boarding in the ocean with his kids, and enjoyed it even more than they did!

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Karen Wootton, daughters Julie Wootton-Greener (Cody) and Angela Wootton (Ava), brother Alan Wootton(Heather), parents in-law Stan and Marion Jeffries, and a grandchild due in March 2022.

We remember Jeff’s brilliant blue eyes, his willingness to give anyone a ride (even in the middle of the night), his quiet, humble nature, and his admirable cuppa tea making skills.

Donations in his memory may be made to Food From the Heart in Santa Barbara or VNA Health and Hospice.