Tom Wolf

Thomas Ray “Tom” Wolf, passed away on September 21, 2026, at Newman Regional Health in Emporia, Kansas, surrounded by his family after an extended battle for many years with cancer. He was 79 years old.

Tom was born on January 5,1947 to William G. Wolf and Ida Hester (Replogle) Wolf in Wichita, Kansas. The family moved around the state for several years, eventually finding their ‘forever’ home. They purchased farm ground in Lebo, KS (south of Olivet), where they operated a dairy farm for many decades. The homestead, which meant the world to Bill and Ida, as well as Tom, is still in the family. Growing up on the farm was one of his greatest joys. Farm life was demanding but he and his brother always found time to hang out with the country neighbors; Rod and Rick Pock, Clair and Doug Niles, and Jay and Phil ‘Dana’ George, who remained life-long friends. Julia “Judy” George checked in on Tom frequently for many years, as she was able, after her close friend Ida, passed away. To her, he was still Tommy, the young, neighbor boy. He adored Judy and enjoyed her random phone calls. Ironically, they both passed away within several days of one another. Without a doubt, a joyful reunion happened this past week in Heaven.

Growing up, Tom attended school at Lebo, graduating in 1965. A recent story shared by Doug Niles is that he taught Tom how to shoot the legendary “hook shot” in the very barn still standing on the Niles Farm, that would later gain Tom a scholarship to Iola Junior College in Iola, Kansas where he attended school for one year. Some say he should have received a billiard scholarship, as his real love was the game of pool and was quite good at it, essentially funding his way through college that year. After college he would often be found playing a game at Art’s Pool Hall in Lebo while enjoying an ice-cold Pepsi filled with peanuts.

After returning home from college, Tom married Terry (Johnson) Evans in 1966 and later divorced. Together they had three children: Lori Ann, Chad Alan and Travis Ray who all attended Lebo Schools, as well. He later married Janet Lincoln, and they made their home in Emporia, Kansas. From that union, they had a daughter, Jessica Linn, but also divorced. Many weekends were spent with the entire family out on the dairy farm, milking cows & doing chores, walking along Frog Creek throwing in a fishing pole, enjoying a game of baseball, football or even basketball in the pasture before the sun went down. After Sunday dinner, prepared by his mother Ida, you could almost always find the whole family, kids included, playing a game of pinochle (or two) before returning home. Taking his family camping along the Neosho River and fishing all night was another favorite past time. Sleeping in a tent with only a sleeping bag on the riverbank was not favored by all, however, the memories made were. Most often during these times, you could hear a Kansas State football or basketball game playing on a radio or a television given the rabbit ear antennae would dial it in. If it wasn’t a KSU game, it would most likely be the Royals or Chiefs.

Tom began his long-standing construction career working for Filmore Construction in Osage City. Tom’s father Bill was an extremely skilled drywaller, who passed on his perfection of the art of sheet rock to his son. It didn’t take long for Tom to begin his own construction business which later became known as Wolf Building & Supply. He continued this business for many decades. A skilled craftsman, he built dozens of homes with precision and passion, as there was no room for a mismeasurement with his name stamped on the job! Later in life, Tom was able to transition into custom cabinetry, taking great pride in his work. His legacy lives through the many local homes and handcrafted pieces he created throughout his career. It was through his love of building that he passed on his wealth of building knowledge to his sons and to his son-in-law, Randy, who followed in his footsteps of home construction, although Randy always left the sheet rock hanging and finishing for Tom.

Thomas is survived by his children, Lori (Randy) Miller of Lebo, KS; Chad (Molly) Wolf of Overland Park, KS; Travis Wolf of Gardner, KS; and Jessica (Matt) Wright of Walnut Shade, MO; his brother, James “Jim” (Donna) Wolf of Lebo, KS; nieces Cynthia Wolf, Kenosha, WI; Debbie Bolen, Shawnee, KS; uncles Dennis (Helen) Wolf of Salina KS, Steve (Lana) Wolf of Great Bend KS, and aunt Kathy (Kenny) Wolf of Hays, KS. Grandchildren: Shawn (Kristen) Miller, Amber Barrett (C.J. Bazil), Taylor (Storm) Cartee, all of Lebo; Taylan Wolf and Connor Wolf, Overland Park, KS; Lucas Wright (fiancé Adriana Weber) and Addison Wright of Walnut Shade, MO. Great Grandchildren: Alyssa Miller, Jacksyn Barrett, Rylan Miller, Harlynn Cartee, Jordan Miller, Carsyn Barrett, Hayden Cartee, Bryer Miller and Callen Cartee, all of Lebo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William “Bill” and Ida Hester Wolf; uncles Clark Wolf, Lawrence Wolf, Joseph “Jack” Wolf, James Wolf, Kenneth Wolf, Floyd Replogle and Frederick “Fritz” Replogle; aunts Blanche Wolf, Margaret (Wolf) Moore and Ellen Louise (Replogle) Gassner and a great niece Mallorie Bolen.

Tom will be remembered for his craftsmanship, dedication to his work, and the legacy he leaves through his family and the many lives he touched. Per his wishes, family will gather at a graveside service at Alpine Cemetery in Olivet Township.

Memorial contributions may be sent c/o VanArsdale Funeral Home, P.O. Box 43, Lebo KS 66856. Many years ago, Tom handcrafted a memorial trophy case which sits in the halls of his alma mater. The family feels it is only natural that a new trophy case will bear his name again, this time in his memory. Therefore, donations will be designated toward a new trophy case with any remaining funds going toward the Lebo Vocational-Agricultural program to encourage and inspire youth interested in the construction or agricultural field.