John Jefferson Woolley II; Geologist, Teacher

John Jefferson Woolley II, a petroleum geologist, died suddenly of a heart attack at his home in Ventura on Saturday. He was 46.

Woolley was born in Torrance on Oct. 2, 1952, and grew up on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, where he attended school. He graduated from USC with a bachelor’s degree in geology in 1975. He then attended San Diego State, where he received a master’s degree in geology in 1978.

After a five-year courtship, he married Margaret Hilliard in 1987. The couple has two children.

Woolley had more than 20 years of experience in the oil and gas business. He worked for Sun Oil Co. in Newhall and Dallas until 1986. After that he worked for the Shoshone Oil Co. At the time of his death, he was employed by Venoco of Santa Barbara. Woolley also taught geology at Oxnard College.

A geologist, cartographer and naturalist, he was also a photographer who led many field trips to Santa Rosa Island. He was considered to be a historian for the island and served as a liaison between the National Park Service and the island’s former owners, the Vail & Vickers Co. He was the author of several scientific and historical papers. He also took great pride in being a coauthor of the Thomas Dibblee Foundation map of Santa Rosa Island.

Woolley was an avid golfer. He remembered every hole, every shot and every score of every game he played as well as the scores of whomever he played. Frequently, his wife and son joined him on the golf course. For 21 years, he hosted the Satchel Paige Invitational Golf Tournament in Pacific Grove.

He also loved gardening, camping and being outdoors.

In addition to his wife, Woolley is survived by their son, James; daughter, Kate; mother, Margaret Vail Woolley of Altadena; brother Will of Templeton; and sisters Susan Woolley of Altadena and Louise Miller of Flagstaff, Ariz.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to the Coast Geological Society, John J. Woolley Student Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 3055, Ventura 93006.

Services are scheduled at 4 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Ventura, with the Rev. Jerome E. Kahler officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura.