It is with heavy hearts that the family of Gary H. Wolf, 77, mourn his passing on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. Born to Otto and Alice Wolf on August 21, 1943, Gary was a native of Phoenix, Arizona where he resided his whole life. Gary was preceded in death by his parents and was survived by his wife, Marlene, his son, Gary M. (Emily), his daughter, Rae Speciale (Chris), sister Carole Schwietz and his grandchildren Blake, Ashtyn, Caleb, Ryker, Stella, and Libby.
Gary attended St. Mary’s High School, and would often say “Once a Knight, always a Knight!” Gary was blessed with tremendous athletic ability and a huge passion for sports. He played baseball and football for the Knights throughout his high school career. His senior year in 1961, Gary was selected to the All-State baseball team. That summer, he played for the American Legion team “Kerr’s Sporting Goods”, which went on to win the National Championship in Hastings, Nebraska, home of the American Legion World Series. Gary was awarded a college scholarship to play baseball at Phoenix College. In his first year, the Phoenix College Bears won the Junior College World Series National Championship in 1962. Two National Championships in one year! Gary went on to play one season for the NAU Lumberjacks before deciding it is too cold to play baseball in Flagstaff. Gary was drafted at age 23 for the Vietnam War where he served two years (1966-67). He loved this great country and remained a true American patriot.
Gary met the love of his life in 1969, Marlene, and took her hand in marriage. Gary worked for Phoenix Newspapers Inc. for 36 years before retiring in 2008, where he valued and developed many lasting friendships over the years.
Gary’s hobbies included being an avid bird and deer hunter and loved horse racing. He was a huge Diamondbacks fan enjoying his summer evenings watching baseball games and looked forward to fall football season to root on the ASU Sun Devils. What Gary enjoyed most of all was being a loving grandfather. There wasn’t a thing he wouldn’t do for his grandchildren. He looked forward to attending his grandchildren’s school and sporting events.
Gary will be fondly remembered for his servant attitude towards helping others, his kindness, humility, and complete dedication to his family.
There will be a visitation held at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix on Friday, February 19, 2021 from 5:00 – 7:00P.M. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 11:30A.M., with an escorted procession immediately following service to St. Francis Cemetery for burial with military honors. A lunch reception will follow after the cemetery. For those unable to attend you may view the Mass via live stream at: www.sfxphx.org/livestream. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.
Dennis Crouch
Gary was my cousin. I worked at the az republic for 43 years . I worked in the pressroom and he worked in the mailroom. I would talk to him at work and we got along well. Never really got to know him but considered him family.
Knew that he was respected from his peers and was positive most of the time. Sorry to see him go at such a young age.
Arnold F, "Nolly" Trujillo
I knew Gary thru my younger brother Ed Trujillo who I think first met him in the Phoenix College days in the early 60’s
and I most recently saw Gary over a year ago at a service for Linda Lavin. Gary was a great Sun Devil fan and we would often give our advice on the direction of their teams. Also in 1945, I was fortunate to have his sister Carole as a classmate in the first grade at St Mary’s Elementary School. I would ask Gary how she was doing and he would comment great. Carole and John Diehl were the brains in those early grade classes, so I could never forget them.
My condolences go out to the Wolf family and I am very sorry for their loss of a great guy and personality.
Arnold “Nolly” Trujillo
Marsha Butler
I met Gary when we went to St. Mary’s High School – he was a year ahead of me.
I really saw him more in the 80s at Turf Paradise where I was with the race horses. He had friends there and really loved the horses.
I’ve seen him and his wife in the last few years just out and about.
So very sorry to see he is gone.
He was a really great guy and always a pleasure to talk to when we met.
George Patchett
Gary was the first person to speak to me when I moved out here in 1956 at Saint Mary’s grade school. We have had a close personal relationship thru sports and friends and even though we could go years without talking to each other, when we did it would seem like yesterday. I will miss him dearly
charmine blasingim
Sorry for your loss. Prayer for the his soul and the family. From a St. Mary’s classmate
Rudy Cueto
What a loss. Gary and I have been good friends since our time at St. Mary’s and continued our friendship after graduation. Whenever I spoke with Gary on the phone, it was usually about a planned reunion or mentioning about a classmate’s recent passing. But on each call, we talked about our hunting experiences. I will greatly miss talking to Gary on the phone.
John Mitchell
Gary was co-worker at the the R&G and we car pooled for a number of years. he was a gentlemen’s — gentlemen..
May he Rest in Peace.
Abigail Cooksey-Williams
Sending our love and prayers to Marlene and the entire family. He was an amazing husband, father, and grandpa. We are so very sorry.
LARRY LINK
I first met Gary and his son Gary, Jr. through my brother Ken on one of the many deer hunting trips
in Northern Arizona. We had fun together sharing the stories during those deer camps. I will miss him
as he was a great friend and soulmate of St. Mary’s grade and high school alumni, plus Phoenix College.
May the saints rejoice seeing him in heaven along with our savior Jesus Christ.
LARRY
Pricilla Koury
Gary….we will miss your smile and compassionate love of others.
Sending love and prayers to his family and friends during this sad time.
Pricilla and Jim