George Clayton Wolfe, Jr.

George Clayton Wolfe, Jr.

“Ride with me Lord, don’t allow me to lag.  Guide me all the way to the checkered flag”

George Clayton Wolfe, Jr., age 84, of Carlisle, and formerly of Shiremanstown, passed away peacefully while being comforted by his family at West Shore Hospital on Wednesday, March 8, 2017.  George was born on Wednesday, January 4, 1933 in Shiremanstown to the late George Clayton Wolfe, Sr. and Mary Ellen (Shutt) Wolfe.

George’s survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Kay L. (Shopp) Wolfe; his two daughters: Barbara “Barb” Krall and her husband, Steve, of Lewisberry, LuAnn Miller and her husband, Kenneth, of Port Royal; his two sons: Will Wolfe of Carlisle, Steven Wolfe and his wife, Denise, of Mechanicsburg; his eight grandchildren: Amy Jama, Rebecca Polulak, Jennifer Magaro, Nick Krall, Sean Miller, Lindsey Miller, Courtney Miller, Stevie Wolfe; his ten great-grandchildren: Devon, Reese, Kennedy, Gabe, Sydney, Katie, Paige, Izabella, Kellan, Nick; his two siblings: Catharine Pealer of Dillsburg, Ralph Wolfe of Carlisle; and several nieces and nephews.

George was born and raised in Shiremanstown.  He graduated from Mechanicsburg High School as part of the class of 1951.  During his time in high school, George played football, baseball, and basketball.  He retired from the UA Local 520 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union in Harrisburg, after 17 years of service working as a pipefitter.  George was a lifelong member of the Protestant faith.  He played semi-pro football for the Harrisburg Bears, Mechanicsburg Bears, and Cumberland Colts as a defensive tackle and line backer.  George loved many different types of sports such as baseball, basketball, wrestling, and car racing.  He was a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, Penn State Nittany Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles.

George was a founding and life member of the William’s Grove Old Timers Club and the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing (EMMR).  He was an owner and driver of a dirt track car at Silver Spring Speedway, Williams Grove Speedway, and other local tracks.  In 1979, he was the Sportsman's Track Champion at Silver Spring Speedway and   during the 1980’s, George was a promoter for the Williams Grove Speedway.  He had a love for racing and was even inducted into the York County Racing Hall of Fame.  George also enjoyed collecting antique and street rod cars.  He was a member of the Cumberland Valley Wrestling Booster Club and the UA Local 520 Plumber and Pipefitters Union.

George was a hard working and self-made man who had an incredible work ethic; he was always a supporter of the underdog.  He was very generous and a good provider for his family, whom he was tough but always fair with.  George was also a man of his word who could be quite comical.  He supported any sports that his kids and grandchildren did and he was always interested in their lives and the activities they participated in.  His family and friends hold many memories of him and will miss George dearly.

All are welcome to join George’s family at his viewing on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. until time of service at 6:30 p.m. at Myers - Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with a good friend, Patricia Emel, officiating.  George’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at The Stage & Studio Cafe, next door to the funeral home, following the service.  Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family in St. John’ Cemetery in Mechanicsburg.  Honored to be the urn bearer is William Wolfe.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in celebration of George’s life can be made to the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing, P.O. Box 688, Mechanicsburg, PA www.EMMR.org, or the Kidney Foundation of Central Pennsylvania, 1500 Paxton Street, Suite 101, Harrisburg, PA 17104, www.KFCP.org .  George’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read George’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, and sign his official guest book at www.Buhrig.com