Henry “Bud” Wolf Jr. was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1940, in Southfield, Michigan. He graduated from Waterford Township High School before answering the call to serve, joining the United States Marine Corps in September 1960. He served honorably until October 1966—something he carried with pride the rest of his life.
In March of 1963, he married Barbara Sees, starting a life centered around family, hard work, and showing up for the people he loved. After his service, Bud built a career in the aerospace industry as a machinist. In 1977, he moved his family to Arizona, where his work ethic and leadership eventually made him a partner in the business. He even spent five years in Guaymas, Mexico running a manufacturing facility before retiring in 2004.
Bud lived life fully and never did anything halfway. His love for coaching started on the Little League fields—spanning years from T-ball through Senior League—and grew into coaching basketball and football as his kids got older. As the grandkids came along, you could always find him in the stands, cheering them on as their biggest fan.
He loved sports- bowling, golf, really any chance to compete. Retirement didn’t slow Bud down. Summers were spent in the tall pines of Pinetop, usually on the golf course, around a card table playing poker or Mexican Train, or out back in his outdoor kitchen. That’s where he was in his element—cooking, frying, and feeding anyone within reach. Sausage, jerky, deep-fried everything… he always had something going and always had an audience.
He made friends everywhere he went, never let anyone go hungry, and left a lasting impression on everyone lucky enough to know him.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, his three children, seven grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren—each of whom carries a piece of his spirit forward.