Donald Lee Wolff, of Bonita Springs, Florida and previously a long time resident of St. Louis, died on Friday, November 20, 2015 in St. Louis, Missouri, in the embrace of his wife and children.

Don was born on September 25, 1935, the son of Betty and Morris Wolff and older brother of Jerry Wolff. He graduated from University City High School. He graduated from Mizzou undergrad and School of Law then served in the JAG Corps of the US Army in Germany. He worked as assistant St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney then entered private practice as a criminal defense and civil rights attorney, where he gained acclaim as a top national lawyer.

Don served as adjunct professor for St. Louis University School of Law and president of the St. Louis County Bar Association and the Lawyer’s Association. He was judge for Creve Coeur.

Don served for 50 years with Big Brothers Big Sisters, including president of the board and legal counsel. He served on the Board of Regents of Harris Stowe State University, which houses the Don and Heide Wolff Jazz Institute. At the Urban League of St. Louis, he served as chairman of the board and legal counsel. He also was legal counsel at the ACLU. He served on the Advisory Committee of the Family Violence National Council, United Hebrew Congregation Board of Directors, Cystic Fibrosis, Boys Town of Missouri, and Legal Advocates for Abused Women.

He supported Backstoppers and taught at the St. Louis Police Academy. He established the Donald L. Wolff Scholarship at the University of Missouri Law School for disadvantaged and minority students.

He LOVED Jazz and hosted radio shows for decades and produced the I Love Jazz show on HEC-TV.He recently received the National Jazz Hero award.

He is survived by his wifeHeide, his sons Michael (Sarah) and Nelson (Susan) and daughter Kristina (Patrick) and grandchildren Pierce, Jessica, Hugo, Harbor, Julia, Hobie, Evalina and Grace.

Donations may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, the Urban League of Metropolitan St Louis, or the Donald L. Wolff Scholarship Fund at the University of Missouri School of Law.

A New Orleans Jazz style celebration of Don’s life will be held Monday, November 23rd at 3:00 PM at United Hebrew Congregation, 13788 Conway Road a Woodsmill. Visitation Monday 2:00 PM.

BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE