Charles Kent Wolz

Kent was the oldest child born to Charles David "Chick" Wolz and Fern Jones Wolz, February 15, 1936 in Lovell, Wyoming. Dad loved to tell stories of growing up in Byron. From the front doorstep of his childhood home, he could see both Grandparent's houses, where he loved to spend time. He would wait anxiously for cousins to visit, then run to greet them.

He had an active childhood playing with friends and getting into an untold number of "fixes." At age 12, Dad rode his horse Trixie in a horseback square dance group along side his Grandmother Wolz.

One of Dad's favorite playmates, close to his age, was Uncle Ronny, with whom he always met a good fight. As a young man, Dad told his father he did not want to be a farmer, he wanted to play basketball. However, "Dad just wanted me to stack hay."

Serious study was not in the cards, as he was one day sent to Principal Simmon's office for standing on his desk playing a typewriter like a accordion. When the principal asked why he was there, Dad said, "Mr. Wilcox said I didn't know how to use the typewriter correctly," and Mr. Simmon's replied, "well, you better get back to class and learn." He never lied….. why he did not go into politics, we will never know. In his senior year of high school, Dad signed up to take Spanish, however he hated it. Mr. Harold Hopkinson, his new principal, knowing Dad planned on studying engineering, drew a map of the University of Wyoming and told Dad to draw in the straight lines for the roads-he was hooked!

Dad first saw Rose Marie Hettinger (and she saw him) in high school band class. He played the tuba and mom the bass drum, putting them near each other. And being himself, just couldn't resist teasing her by thumping her drum when the teacher was talking. This would get Rose in trouble, but the real culprit was known. He had an incredible sense of humor and is legendary for the number of people he has teased over his 83 years.

Upon graduation from Byron High School in 1954. His freshman year he attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming, where he studied engineering. Dad spent his sophomore year playing football in Powell at the Jr. College, but mostly to be near Rose. In November of 1958, Dad proposed to Mom, and during Christmas break of his last semester, Dad and his sweetheart Rose were married in Billings, Montana on January 2, 1958.

After a year of marriage, they had their first child Bret, followed by Andrea, Boyd and Elizabeth. Dad first worked for Pan Petroleum, which he called Pandemonium Petroleum. Dad began working for the Wyoming Highway Department in Lander designing and building roads. During these years there were several moves as he moved up in the department. From Thermopolis, Worland. Riverton, Rawlins, Cheyenne and Casper, where he finally said, "enough!"

Dad began his own engineering firm Wolz & Associates 1973, the beginning of a great adventure for him and the family, providing employment to all of the kids, especially Bret and Boyd. Saturdays were never a leisure time as there was always something to do either at home or for a client. Dad enjoyed engineering and worked hard his whole life, surveying the majority of Wyoming. Dad loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing and his four mile walk every morning. In 2009 Mom and Dad were called on a mission to Martin's Cove, serving one day a week doing just about everything. One of his jobs there was designing the bridge over the Sweetwater using rail road cars as the structure. During the bridge construction, the contractor directing the crane spent a great deal of time fudging with the location to get it in the perfect place. Dad finally stopped him by saying, "We ain't building a piano." His ritual walk to get the newspaper each morning was shared by visiting children.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dad served in two Bishoprics, the High Council and Youth organizations. His testimony of Home Teaching and Ministering have inspired and influenced untold numbers of brothers and sisters. His testimony and love of the Savior Jesus Christ will live beyond his short life here.

He is survived by his wife Rose of 61 years, 32 days, and 11 hours (to be continued) of wedded bliss! His children, Bret (Klea) Wolz, Andy (Val) Wolz Dickson, Boyd (Jody) Wolz, and Liz Wolz; his siblings, Stan (Bonnie) Wolz, LouGene (Robert Dan) Wolz Olsen, and Fannie Wolz Heiden; 24 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A visitation will be held 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019 at Newcomer Casper Chapel. A Funeral service will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Wolf Creek Stake Center, 3931 W. 45th St. Casper, Wyoming 82604.

Graveside services will be held 10:00 AM on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019 in Byron, Wyoming at the Byron Cemetery.