We mourn the passing of long-time member, Retired J.W. Arbie Wooten. He passed on on Monday, July 25th, was 87 years old, and had been an IBEW member for over 63 years.
In 1965, Brother Wooten began working at Johnson Service, and he would “switch” (pun intended) back and forth with S.D.G.& E. (allowed in those days) through 1966. He was then dispatched to Universal Electric in late 1966, where he’d stay until mid-1978. Morrow-Meadows (originally from L.A.) opened their San Diego office right about that time, and due to his experience, Brother Wooten was chosen to be one of the first J.W.s to be dispatched to the ‘new’ shop. He became a foreman, and would stay at Morrow-Meadows throughout 1979.
Brother Wooten began the 80s at Ryco II Electric, then moved on to Bob Van Der Linden Electric. In 1981, he was dispatched to (then Union) Bergelectric, and would stay right up to the day before the company went non-Union, in August 1983. Berg’s loss was Steiny & Co.’s gain. Arbie was dispatched to Steiny in early 1984, and would stay with them through late 1986, adding his professional expertise in the building of the then “new” Naval Hospital in Balboa Park. In late 1986, Morrow-Meadows “rehired” Arbie, where he stayed until he retired in June 1989.
Many of our ‘early’ Sisters will remember how difficult it was when Sisters were introduced into the ‘trades’ during the 70s. Having worked with Arbie during that time, Brother Bob Randazzo remembers that Arbie would ‘stand up’ and act as a protective father figure to them. In retirement, Arbie continued his passions of off-roading and gardening. Arbie’s Service was held on July 31st, at El Camino Memorial Park in Sorrento Valley.
