Robert J. Wolfe

Mr. Robert (Bob) Jerry Wolfe, 89, died Friday, July 23, 2021 at Royal Oak Nursing Home in Dade City, Florida.  He was born July 9, 1932 at home in Rex Mills, Ohio, to the late Nellie Marie Perkins Wolfe and the late Ray Wolfe.  Following the passing of his father, his mother married the late David Lloyd.  He began school at High Hill School in 1938 before moving to Zanesville and attending McKinley Grade School.  He attended Hancock Junior High 1943-1945 and Graduated from Lash High School in 1948.

He is survived by his  three children, Dean (Denise) Wolfe of San Antonio, FL, Connie (Greg) Butler of Punta Gorda, FL, and David (Lynn-deceased) Wolfe of Zanesville, OH; 8 grandchildren, Skyler Wolfe, Shantae Bash and Shaelynne Beiser, David Yuraitis, Jason Wright, Lisa Wright, Austin Wolfe and Abby Wolfe; 8 great-grandchildren, Avery Wolfe, Renner, Raxton, and Racilynn Bash,  Bentley and Brantley Beisser, Lelilah, and Rowman, and 1 great-great- grandchild Grayson Wolfe.  Also by 1 brother, Roger (Dorothy) Wolfe of Dallas, T, and many nieces and nephews.  Preceding him in death is his wife for 69 years Christine Wolfe, a brother Ed Wolfe and a sister Ruth Brock. 

He married the late Christine Stout, August 13, 1950 and they always considered Zanesville as their home town.  In their later years Bob and Chris sold their Zanesville home and permanently moved to their ‘snowbird’ home in Del Ray Beach, Florida and then to San Antonio, Florida. 

Bob’s first job was at the First National Bank.  He also worked for The Conwell Candy Company before beginning his own business as the owner of Linden Sports Center with stores in Zanesville, Newark and Malta There he sold sporting goods and equipment to area teams.  He also served as the public address announcer for Maysville High School football and basketball games.

He umpired in the 1983 Pan-American Games, and was a finalist to umpire in the 1984 Olympics, which came after he served as a professional scout for the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets.

Wolfe remained active in the AAABA and Old-Timers well into his 80s before his health began to deteriorate. He was the Old-Timers' past president and treasurer; past president, served as an executive  director for 61 years,  secretary of the AAABA and was AAABA National Tournament Chairman for over 30 years serving with close friend Jim Wright on the rules committee for three decades.

He was in the Maysville High School Hall of Fame, the Muskingum Valley Old Timers association Hall of fame and in the AAABA Hall of Fame

Known as Mr. Baseball in the Zanesville area, he was one of the founding members of the Muskingum Valley Old Timers Association and served two stints as their president in 1961-1962 and 1967-68.  He was very involved in youth baseball organizing many Babe Ruth tournaments. 

He was a coach of the Zanesville Greys Baseball Team for several years. When the Zanesville Greys played in the Frontier League (1993-96), Wolfe was involved with the independent professional baseball organization as a coach.    

Bob organized the state Babe Ruth Tournaments and was responsible for Gant Stadium to be the host.  He organized and spearheaded “Save Our Stadium“campaign that raised $300,000 to refurbish Gant Stadium in 1991. 

Youth baseball was his life. Baseball in Zanesville and the State of Ohio will sorely miss his influence and leadership.

He will be greatly missed by his many friends and his family.

Friends and family may call from 12:00 P.M. until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the BOLIN-DIERKES FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 1271 BLUE AVENUE, ZANESVILLE with Rev. Jeff Wolfe officiating.  He will be laid to rest at Zanesville Memorial Park Cemetery, Zanesville.

To send a note of condolence or to order flowers visit www.bolin-dierkesfuneralhome.com, follow us on Facebook, or call our professional staff at (740)452-4551.

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