James Wolf

James Wolf, 84, Topeka, passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at Midland Hospice House.

Jim was born October 19, 1937 in Mt. Clemmons, MI, living in an orphanage until age 2 when he was adopted by Reuben and Dolores (Killewald) Wolf. He attended schools in Mt. Clemmons before enlisting in the U.S. Navy, where he was in the Seabees and trained as a bricklayer.
He moved to Topeka in 1962 working as a bricklayer (one of the best in Topeka!) for over 20 years. An injury caused a career change, working first as a cabinet maker, and then as a Power Plant Operator for the State of Kansas for the last 13 years of employment.
He was a member of VFW Post 400.

Jim married Shirley DeLisle on December 29, 1964 in Topeka. His wife of 57 years survives. When they married, Jim took on the responsibility of Shirley's three young sons who all survive: Tom (Tammie) Wolf, Jimmy (Ronda) Wolf, both of Topeka, and Eugene (Sheila) Wolf, of Auburn.

In 1965 Jim adopted the 3 boys, and Jim and Shirley Wolf, Tom and Jimmy White, and Eugene DeLisle all became the "Wolfpack". (After the name change was official, and the kids did not yet know, Jim jokingly bet the boys that they couldn't spell their last name… he didn't make them pay up though!)
Also surviving are 7 grandchildren, Michelle, Amanda, Joshua, Jordan, Nicholas, Bryan and Ben; and 7 great-grandchildren.

Jim took his sons on many fishing trips during their youth, from the smallest farm ponds to Lake Huron. The expeditions included: Jim hooking young Eugene in the eyebrow with his first cast (which made the CJ Paper!); fearing for all their lives as the waves swelled around their small boat on Lake Huron; and hauling in over 80 Crappie on a local Reservoir. He was a master at filleting all the fish they caught for delicious Sunday fish frying! Fishing was no longer enjoyable after the boys were gone, and his hobbies after that were: traveling in their RV, staying in the RV in the Corpus Christi area each winter, drinking coffee with buddies in the morning, and drinking "other" things with buddies in the afternoon; hating the Kansas City Chiefs and loving the Oakland Raiders.

He also collected toys for many years - many of them antique or at least collectors' items - purchased mostly at garage sales. He could build just about anything with his hands and developed an extensive and unique garage and patio with amazing storage and organization.

Congestive heart failure drastically changed what Jim could do over the last 10 years with each year finding him weaker. Unable to drive for the last two years and unable to do many activities of daily living without assistance the last 12 months were misery for him. He has now been mercifully spared any more days of what he called "no way to live", and passed peacefully from this life to the next.

Cremation has taken place and a Memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2022 at Parker-Price Funeral Home, 245 NW Independence.The family will receive friends at the funeral home fro 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. prior to the service.

In leu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Rescue Mission.

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