Thomas J. Wolfe

Thomas J. Wolfe

Tom Wolfe passed away at home on May 10, 2018, after a lengthy illness.  Tom was born September 6, 1943, the son of Dorothy A. (Doyle) and Stanley I Wolfe of Loogootee, Indiana.  He grew up in Loogootee, graduating from St. John’s High School in 1961.  He was involved in many activities, including music, swimming and scouting, achieving his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout.

During the four years he spent at Indiana University in Bloomington, Tom played trumpet in The Marching Hundred band, and pledged Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.  He graduated with a degree in Finance from the School of Business.

Tom married Linda Gunter April 22, 1967.  They lived in Indianapolis, where they raised two daughters.  Tom spent 28 years in accounting and auditing with Farm Bureau Insurance.  He became a Chartered Life Underwriter and Certified Public Accountant within a few weeks of each other, studying for both at the same time.  After an early retirement from Farm Bureau, Tom and Linda purchased Bear Wallow Books, Publishers, Inc., a company which they still owned and managed at the time of his death.

Tom loved people, whether family, friends or business associates who became friends.  He also loved travel, music, dogs, photographing wildlife, landscapes and people, and the family’s home in the woods.  He was an active member of the University of Wisconsin Alumni Club of Indianapolis for more than fifty years, an “adopted Badger” who joined Linda in the Wisconsin cheering section at football games, always wearing his IU cap and cheering for the Hoosiers.

Tom will be missed.  He is survived by his wife Linda; two daughters, Anne Wolfe Buck (Adam), and Rachel Wolfe; granddaughter, Zoey Buck; sister Suzanne (William) Hering and brother, Richard Wolfe (Dan McGee).  His parents and two daughters, Karin and Emily, preceded him in death.

Family and friends may call from 4pm until 8pm on Monday, May 14, 2018 at Flanner Buchanan- Broad Ripple, 1305 Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5884 Crittenden Ave, Indianapolis.  Burial will follow services in Washington Park North Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Canine Companions for Independence, Inc. (cci.org) are suggested.  Tom considered the placement of service dogs with people who need them to be a goal worthy of support.