CHETOPA — John O. “Buddy” Wolfe, 81, of Chetopa passed away the morning of Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Oswego Health and Rehab.
John Owen Wolfe was born on Jan. 22, 1944, to John and Alma (Sheffield) Wolfe in Welch, Oklahoma.
Buddy graduated from Chetopa High School. Following graduation, he attended and received his master’s degrees in business accounting and teaching from Pittsburg State University.
On June 1, 2007, Buddy married Kay Ann Romanzi in Girard.
Buddy worked for 48 years at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant at Parsons as a pipefitter.
Buddy loved playing guitar and helped teach the art of guitar to countless people over the years. This led to his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. In his spare time, he would help tutor those in need and spend time with his family.
Survivors include his wife, Kay, of the home; his children, Zachary Richardson of Chetopa, Sarah Daniels and her husband, Matthew, of Joplin, Missouri, Joey Wolfe of Chetopa, Lee Wolfe of Chetopa, Dana Johnson of Miami, Oklahoma, and Laura Wolfe of Chetopa; five grandchildren, Stetcyn, Weston, Joey, Tiffany and Noah; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ernie Wolfe; and two sisters, Pat Blyah and Annie Cook.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, 605 Locust, Chetopa, KS, 67336.
Leave online condolences at www.forbeshoffman.com.
