John H. Wells Sr.

JOHN HILTON WELLS SR. March 24, 1936 - March 19, 2017 John Hilton Wells, Sr., was born on March 24, 1936 to the late Sam Wells and the late Georgie Vick Wells in Amite County, MS. He passed away on March 19, with his beloved sister Rosa at his side. John was an active member of his church community. First as a member and trustee of Union Baptist Church and later, as a member and trustee at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. The Mississippi native came to Vallejo in 1954 to be near his sister Rosa and to finish high school. John married and settled in Vallejo. John Wells, Sr. has the distinct honor of being Vallejo's first black firefighter. John was a 28-year-old barber when a local minister active in civil rights recruited him for the fire department. After rebuffing the persistent reverend several times, John eventually gave in. Rev. Morris of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church assured John that firefighting would be a good career and "an important step in the civil rights movement". John accepted, but still cut hair on his days off. John rose through the ranks to become an Assistant Chief. John proudly served his community with 28 years of public service in the fire department. John was an advocate of education and continuous learning. After his sons completed college, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary's College in 1990, two years before he retired. John was preceded in death by brothers, Willie Wells and Curtis Wells; and sisters, Lottie B. Wells and Mary Louise Allen. He leaves behind a sister, Rosa Simpson of East Palo Alto; brother, AJ Wells of Summit, MS; and mother of his two sons, Curtysteen Wells of Vallejo. Carrying on their parent's legacy of public service, John leaves behind sons, John H. Wells, Jr., a Group Counselor at Solano County Juvenile Hall, and Robert Anthony Wells, retired Sergeant of the Piedmont Police Department. John has three grandsons, Robert Monroe Wells of Vallejo, John Martin Wells of Hampton, VA, and Bryan Fong Wells of American Canyon. Viewing will be held Monday from 3 to 8 p.m., with a quiet hour at 7 p.m., at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 1905 Florida St., Vallejo. Funeral service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m., at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 1905 Florida St., Vallejo. Burial will immediately follow at Skyview Memorial Lawn, 200 Rollingwood Drive, Vallejo. Arrangements entrusted to the direction and care of Twin Chapels Mortuary, 707-552-6696. www.twinchapelsmortuary.com.