James (Jim) Wolfe, 66, of Fredericksburg, VA passed away on November 7, 2023 surrounded by his children and family.
Jim/Wolfe/Wolf-ie/Jimmy/Jim-Bob/Dad/Pop-Pop grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, a place he loved and was still very much in his spirit. He returned to Louisville as often as he could to visit his brother, sisters, and his mother who passed away in 2018. When home, he never missed an opportunity to tease those he loved the most. When visiting his mother who suffered with dementia, he would ask her questions relentlessly, keeping track of each answer. He would then ask the same question again to see if she would respond differently. Just to give her a lovingly hard time, and for her to explain how she could give two different answers to the same question.
Jim's relationship with his brothers and sisters continued until the very end, even texting and calling Angie "my baby sister". Growing up, Kentucky instilled a love for the outdoors. Jim often spent his time fishing, showing off his spectacular catch of the day and boating in his 1984 John boat. He also enjoyed swimming, bowling, and cussing. Maybe cussing can be looked at as a leisurely sport. These were very much a part of his daily life. He loved to be outdoors, not one to sit still for very long, he was always on the move fixing, installing, fishing, or cutting everyone's grass. In the last few years, Jim helped his neighbors, cutting their grass and maintaining their yards on his days off. Often with his grandson Mason in-tow; teaching him the trade as it were.
Jim was a career man, hard worker, and a perfectionist with talents and skills for any project. In order to enjoy his hobbies in his free time, he worked as a Branch Manager and a service technician for commercial appliances repair companies over his 30 years in the business. His "MacGyver" skills and extensive knowledge allowed him to become an integral part of his employer's team. Regardless of how skilled he was, he was looking forward to retiring and working on his hobbies full time. At home, if you had a problem, he had a tool or a solution and was more than capable of getting it done. Jim was a meticulous carpenter, not typically one to spend money on services as he was well qualified to get the job done. He and the kids, which might have violated some child labor laws, built two large pools, lawn sprinkler system (Dug by hand, I'll remind you), a two-story deck with stairs and landings, sheds, fences, three full bathrooms, and fully finished the basement of his home. His children were subjected to his perfectionism and often paid the consequences for shoddy work. To this day, all of this has instilled a "If you can't do it right, don't do it at all" attitude. Jim's other at home love was maintaining a lawn that was the envy of the neighborhood. His pride was in every blade of that grass, the orange reflective poles were installed to keep any stray tires off the grass. He was not afraid to tell you to get off his lawn, even if it was the mailman. Those blades were a sign of hard work and constant dedication.
Jim was a committed family man who would always put his children and grandchildren first, even if that meant he went without or had to figure out a way to make it happen. He always did, for better or worse. Although Jim portrayed a tough and rigid exterior, with his bronzed like a Greek god skin, he was not shy with his feelings or thoughts on any matter. You were going to get the truth, whether it hurt or not. Sometimes, it was what we needed to hear. He would often follow it up though with some of the greatest hugs. He was a hugger, big strong arms pulling you in to an affectionate embrace. Maybe trying to say with actions what his words often couldn't. In the end, there was no question there was a soft loving man inside that giant personality.
Jim was an avid bowler and was on the PBA tour as younger man. He was well accomplished, as he received many accolades and plaques for his performance, not to mention the extra income he pulled in doing what he loved – probably how he paid for all of those hobbies and tools. He was even written about in the paper having bowled two perfect games and got engaged all within the short span of 11 days. In 1985 he was elected to the Virginia State Bowling Association All Star team. He has won 3 Triple Crown awards in 1997, 2004 and 2011. In 2014, Jim and his partner won the Mid Atlantic Senior Tournament Over/Under 50 Tournament held in Hanover Pennsylvania and in 2015 he was inducted into the Greater Fredericksburg United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Hall of Fame. While then in 2017 he was inducted in to the USBC of Virginia Hall Fame.
Jim's love for the grandbabies is unmatched. He was the best boo-boo repair man in the business. A well tested tractor repairman, bicycle trainer, and solid foundation there is no other pop-pop out there. Jim will be dearly missed and always remembered. His love for a curse word and strong work ethic will be carried on in his name by everyone that was humbly impacted by his presence in this world.
James was predeceased by his wife: Katie Wolfe, his father: Frank Wolfe, and his mother: Marie Wolfe.
He is survived by his brothers and sisters: Bekki Muss (husband Tim), Kim Hamilton (husband Jeff), Tim Wolfe (wife Melissa), Angela Flowers (husband Kenny); his children: Kathryn, Jaclyn, and Dallas; his grandchildren: Jaden, Ashlyn, Anthony, Millie, and Mason; his great grandchild Jaxon and many nieces and nephews in Virginia and Kentucky.
The family requested a celebration of life be held in James' honor as opposed to traditional funeral services. We request all of Jim's loved ones to join us in celebrating his beautiful life at Found and Sons Funeral Home, 10719 Courthouse Road,
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22407 on Monday, November 13, 2023 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM.