Gerald Conrad Wolf

Gerald C. Wolf  

 Gerry “Pops” Wolf gave us one last goodbye on March 8, 2024, after a two-year battle with Alzheimer’s. Ever competitive, he defied the definition of the disease and was able to recognize friends and family up until the very end. His quick wit, sarcasm, and ability to tell a great joke were on full display as he shared stories and memories from his full, full life. 

 Born in Chicago, Gerry was the neighborhood guy always looking for fun. A character trait which prompted Geraldine and Conrad Wolf to enroll him in private school and subsequently the military. Serving as a Marine was a tremendous source of pride for Gerry and it went a long way in convincing his wife of 44 years, Barbara Wiltgen Wolf, that he was worth giving a chance. It is rumored that Gerry’s older brother Ron tried to warn Barb off the idea on more than one occasion.

 Gerry was an entrepreneur, real estate broker, rancher, musician, silversmith, avid fisherman, hunter, golfer... the list goes on. Moving to Cortez in the 1970’s after visiting Sue and George Kelly in McElmo Canyon (Barb’s great aunt and uncle) he recognized the opportunity to give his family a better quality of life, and it did not disappoint. His vision to develop “Groundhog Vista” was his gift to the community, by providing a mountain escape for families and a blueprint designed to protect the majesty of the land he loved. 

 After Barbara’s passing, Gerry met the second love of his life in Sandy Scott (of Salt Lake City), and they married in 2011. Together they shared new experiences and flat-out loved life. When Gerry became sick, Sandy was his fiercest advocate, and they spent every good, bad, ugly, and heartbreaking minute together. Our family is grateful for Sandy’s generous love, and her strength to put dad’s comfort above all else. Our family has grown for the better because of her. 

 We kids are another story. Heath Wolf and Stacey Wolf Henderson inherited Gerry’s wilder genes and challenged his parenting skills regularly.  Everyone survived our youth, and we do feel confident that dad talked about us with pride. Heath’s wife, Christine Clifford, and Stacey’s husband, John Henderson, were loved and welcomed by him from the day they were introduced to the family, and he knew we both found the love he wished for us. 

 So much of Gerry’s joy came from his six grandkids ... McKayla, Madison, Hailey, and Hudson Wolf; and Jeremy and Kenna Henderson. Their Pops was the larger-than-life guy who convinced them of ridiculous stories, taught them to drive tractors, catch fish and golf, participated in their Christmas plays, applauded their musical talents, and bribed them regularly with milkshakes. He was known for his dreadful smile in photographs, but the pictures of him with those grandkids are snapshots of priceless happiness.

 We’ll be missing a spark of cheer as we face this “year of firsts” without our good ole’ Ger, but he’ll be with us in his own way.... wearing his Marine Corp hat, Old fashioned in hand, yelling “Not to worry!” ... with three “r’s” ... because that was his go-to phrase and a darn good way to live your life.       

 (The family is honoring his wish of no memorial service.)