Gary Ronald Wolff departed this earthly home for his heavenly home on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. He was born November 9, 1943, to Albert and Lottie (Pribyl) Wolff in the Caldwell Hospital and lived most of his life in the Caldwell area.
He attended Hahn Country School through 8th grade and then attended Caldwell High School where he graduated with the class of 1961. After graduation he attended Arkansas City Junior College (now Cowley College) and then transferred to Emporia State University where he earned a degree in Industrial Technology in 1966 and later returned to earn a degree in Business. He spent a few years working for companies such as Aeroglide Grain Dryers and Atchison Leather before returning home in 1974 to farm. He was so proud to receive a Century Farm Award from Kansas Farm Bureau in 2017 on behalf of the Wolff Family Farm.
While at Emporia State, he and his roommate Al Melichar decided to attend the Freshman Mixer Dance in the fall of 1964 where Al met Turi and Gary met Toni Morrison from Dighton, Kansas. Gary and Toni were married on July 1, 1966, and spent the next 58 years as soulmates sharing life. To this union two sons, Jeff and Aaron were born. Gary loved the outdoors, hunting, and fishing, and he passed this love on to his sons and grandchildren. He served many years on the Caldwell Area Sportsman Club board. Most of his birthdays were spent hosting an opening day of pheasant season hunt for friends and family on the family farm.
Gary was a member of the Corbin UMC, now the Corbin Country Church, and was the chairman of trustees and finance chairman for many years. He also served on the Chikaskia Township Board for over 30 years, most of them as trustee. During his boys’ 4-H years, he worked as a 4-H leader and served on the County Extension Board. Gary was proud of his Czech heritage and served as treasurer of the Czech Cemetery board for many years. He also was a member of the Sumner County Fair Board and will be remembered as the “Button Man”, pink hat and all! He spent many hours following his boys’ activities and cheering on the Bluejays and then following his grandchildren in their many activities. Most of all, he will be remembered as a kind man who was always willing to help anyone however he was able.
He will be greatly missed by his wife Toni, sons Jeff and Rebecca and Aaron and Laura, grandchildren Cole and Courtney, Cassandra, Gabe, MaecyLynn, and Makayla, and he was looking forward to meeting his great-grandson in March of 2025. He is also survived by step-grandchildren Carter, Katelyn, and Cy; his brother Lary and his family; his sister Patsy and her husband Mark McCoy and their family; brother and sister-in law Gary and Lisa Morrison and their family, and a host of cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his Wolff and Pribyl grandparents, his parents, and his sister-in-law Kay.
Following cremation, memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 23, 2024 at the Corbin Country Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Czech Cemetery, Caldwell Sportsman's Club or to the Corbin Country Church and sent in care of the mortuary.
Visitation will be held 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, November 18 - 22. Family will be present 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 22.
Toni,
I was so sorry to read about this. You are in my prayers.
Jan McDaniel