Sam Wolf

1922 - 2025

Sam Wolf
July 8, 1922 - October 1, 2025
Sam Wolf, 103 years young, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2025.
Sam was born in San Antonio to Saul and Maude Adkins Wolf on July 8, 1922. He graduated from Brackenridge High School and later married Joanne Faye Klein on January 25, 1952, in San Antonio, Texas. He worked in a variety of professions, including for Braniff Airlines as a pilot, and for the Bexar County Juvenile Court as a Senior Probation Officer. In 1954, Sam began his career in Law Enforcement and retired as Director of Security after 38 years of service for the San Antonio Independent School District.
Sam's impact on SAISD was profound. He helped transition the Security team into an official police force, established a nationally recognized gang unit, and administered policies that significantly reduced vandalism at school properties through his nationally recognized "Lights Out at Night" program. For his achievements, he was formally re-recognized by the SAISD Board in 2012, twenty years after his retirement!
A man of leadership and integrity, Sam held prominent roles in organizations including the National Safety Council, the National Association of School Security Directors (President), The Texas Safety Association, the American Society of Safety Engineers (President), The San Antonio Safety Council (Chairman), Lutheran General Hospital (Chairman), St. Luke's Lutheran Hospital, and many others. He and Joanne were also long-term active members of Zion Lutheran Church in San Antonio, where he was President of the congregation many times until its closure. He was also past President of the Canary Islands Descendants Association in San Antonio.
Sam was a 9th generation San Antonian and proud of his rich Tejano/Texas heritage. His ancestors include founding families of San Antonio, South Texas, Kansas, Kentucky and Maryland! However, what he cherished most was his deep faith in the Lord Jesus, his love of family with whom he was blessed, and his many close friends with whom he shared much throughout his long life.
Sam was preceded in death by his wife Joanne, his parents Saul and Maude Wolf, and sister Madeline Wolf Popham. He is survived by his daughter Patricia Woelfel (Glenn), son Mark Wolf (Kim), grandchildren Lori Woelfel (Matthew Malatesta), Ryan Woelfel, Margaret Baylon (Armando), Elissa Wolf, and great-grandchildren Landon Woelfel, Huxton Woelfel, and nieces Terri Filipski (Gary), Donna Biggs (Dale), and their families.
Pallbearers will be Mark Wolf, Armando Baylon, Glenn Woelfel, Ryan Woelfel, Landon Woelfel, and Gary Filipski. Honorary pallbearers will be Huxton Woelfel, Dale Biggs, Matthew Malatesta, David Strahan, Rick Richter, Jimi Friesehahn, Steve Deike, and Ron Deage.
Visitation will be 6 pm – 8 pm, Friday, October 24, at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Hwy., San Antonio, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, October 25 at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, 14700 San Pedro Avenue, with Pastor Steve Cox and Pastor Heather Hansen officiating. A reception will be held after the service. Burial will follow at 2:00 pm at Sunset Memorial Park, 1701 Austin Hwy., San Antonio, Texas.
The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff and caregivers at Franklin Park-Sonterra Assisted Living, Sacred Heart Hospice, his caring medical team, his friend Hayden Stewart with Stephen Ministry, and his church family at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be given to Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, Blood Cancer United, Alzheimer's Association, or the charity of your choice