Joseph Duane 'Joe' Flax passed away suddenly on August 25, 2016 in Napa, California at the age of 71.

Joe was a product of local schools, including St. John's Catholic School.  At Napa High, Joe was a standout student-athlete. He lettered in football, basketball, and tennis.  He was the starting offensive left end for the 1960 and 1961 varsity football teams.  In basketball, he was a starting forward, and on the tennis team, he played first singles in 1962.  Joe was named 'Most Athletic' and was voted Athlete of the Year (along with Jim Wiggins) by Nu Alpha Sigma.  Joe was inducted into the Napa High Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. (www.napahighhof.org)

Joe earned a basketball scholarship to the University of San Diego, played for one year, then quit basketball to concentrate on his studies.  He finished his undergraduate education at the University of California at Santa Barbara; then went on to earn his law degree from the University of California Hastings School of Law in San Francisco.  Joe was admitted to the California Bar in January of 1971, and served as President of the Napa Valley Bar Association.

He practiced general law and did public defense work in Napa with his partners and friends, Ray Guadagni and Pat McGrath.  After retiring early, Joe and his wife Val traveled the world.  He was also a member of the Napa High Hall of Fame Selection Committee for many years, and was an avid local sports enthusiast.  He was a member of the Napa Valley Country Club, and enjoyed playing tennis for 25 years.

Joe leaves his wife Valerie (Pursuit) Flax, their daughter Amy, their son Tyson, and three grandchildren.