Butch (Gordon A.) Wolf, 62, passed away peacefully at home Thursday, March 16, 2006. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, March 23, 12:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Cathedral of the Rockies, 11th & Hays, Boise, Idaho, under the direction of Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel.

Butch was born in Pocatello, Idaho on May 4, 1943 to Gordon and Helen Wolf. He was raised in Salmon, Idaho, graduating from Salmon High School in 1961. Through his family's many outings in the surrounding mountains, Butch's deep love of the outdoors was formed. He especially enjoyed skiing, hunting, fishing, rafting and camping. Butch attended and played football at Eastern Montana College, graduating in 1968 with a BS in Education. He earned a masters in education degree from the College of Idaho in 1981, and a counseling endorsement in 1983.

During his undergraduate years, Butch developed a great passion for coaching. He moved to the Treasure Valley, where he touched the lives of many young people as a teacher and coach for 35 years before retiring in 2003. He started at Fairmont Jr. High in Boise, and after two years, transferred to the Vallivue School District, where he taught physical education and coached a variety of sports, including football, basketball and baseball. Butch was highly respected by his colleagues, his players and their parents for great success with the Vallivue Middle School football program. His teams won numerous conference championships and currently hold a 30-plus game winning streak. Butch also founded the Vallivue High School ski team and was very involved in the school ski racing program at Bogus Basin. He often remarked that there was "nothing better than a great day on the hill."

Throughout his life, Butch's summers were spent working for the National Interagency Fire Center. At various times he served on fire crews, as a fire suppression instructor and as a dispatcher. After retiring from Vallivue, Butch became a university supervisor of student teachers for the University of Idaho and Boise State University. Wherever he worked or played, people were naturally drawn to Butch's generous nature and sense of humor. He made friends easily, laughed easily and made sure his door was always open -- whether it was at home, at his cabin in Cascade or at the "Lodge" in Salmon.

Butch loved his family and friends without measure. Butch is survived by his children Pamela (Rich) Hobson, Emmett; Tag (Shannon) Wolf, Idaho City; and their mother Marilyn Austin, Nampa; Tiffany Wolf, Portland, Ore.; Tori Wolf, Spokane Wash., and their mother Cindy Wolf, Boise; grandchildren Samantha and Amanda Wolf, Idaho City; brother Don (Diane) Wolf, Boise; nieces Andrea Jones, Las Vegas and Julie (Terry) Hammons, Meridian; nephew Tyler Wolf, Boise; an aunt, six cousins and six grandnieces and grandnephews. Butch is also survived by longtime companion Nachele Farden, Nampa, and many, many friends. He was preceded in death by a son, Christopher (Tip) Wolf and his parents Gordon and Helen Wolf.

A viewing will be held at Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel, 5400 Fairview Ave. on Wednesday, March 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Butch Wolf Memorial Fund in care of the Vallivue Education Foundation, 5207 S. Montana Ave., Caldwell, ID 83607.

-- Idaho Statesman of Mar. 21, 2006