Bryan Jay Wolfe, age 61, Racine, Ohio died peacefully with family at his side at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center hospice unit Friday evening July 26, 2024. Bryan was born in Gallipolis, Ohio on January 31, 1963.

Bryan was the son of the late Hilton Neigler Wolfe, Jr.  (Big Fooze) and late Marilyn Ebersbach Wolfe.

Bryan worked at the Ohio Valley Electric Kyger Creek Plant for 33 years, where he worked his way up to Operating Supervisor. Bryan served four years in the United States Army both domestically and abroad. He was a member of the Racine American legion Post 602.  Bryan was a former member of the Racine Volunteer Fire Department and an EMT with the Racine Emergency squad.

Prior to his service at OVEC, Bryan owned his own trucking company, hauling freight across the United States. On long breaks from the plant, Bryan would often drive truck for various acquaintances to earn extra money.  Through this venue he met many lifelong friends. Not only did Bryan work with Jim Simms at OVEC, but he drove semi for Jim and wife Beverly, who became lifelong friends. 

Bryan was a huge race fan. He loved all forms of racing, but especially Late Models and Sprint cars. For several years, Bryan raced dirt late model stock cars with his brother and his father in car #5 and #5R.  He developed a love for racing at an early age, when the family branched out from watching races locally at Ohio Valley Speedway, Skyline Speedway, (Legendary) Hilltop Speedway and Atomic. The family made many racing trips to such places as Knoxville, Iowa; Willams Grove Speedway in Pennsylvania; New Mexico, and East Bay Raceway in Florida among others.

Bryan’s passion for the sport continued in helping his brother Scott on the pit crew, and as a fan of his granddaughter Jaycee Carpenter and her dad Tyler Carpenter.  Bryan enjoyed being a fan, proudly wearing his Tyler Carpenter tee-shirts. Over the past few years he travelled to the races with his wife and longtime friend Bill Maynard nearly every weekend when he was not working. Bryan also ventured out with racing buddies and friends Robert Brumfield and John Gordon.

Bryan loved family and was a beloved, husband, son, brother, father, grandfather,  uncle, co-worker and friend. Although he loved all of his grandchildren and enjoyed taking them places, he was especially proud of his granddaughter Jaycee, who shared his love of racing and has begun her own racing career.

Bryan loved people and made friends wherever he went. He also loved life and loved having fun, and enjoying a good laugh.

Bryan was saved January 28, 2014. As a Christian he lived his life to be kind to others and help others when they needed help. He attended Racine Methodist Church in Racine, Ohio.

Bryan was preceded in death by his parents and niece Jennifer Wolfe.

Bryan is survived by his wife of 32 years, Sheryll (Sherry) Russell Wolfe who he married in Portland, Ohio March 28, 1992; his sons Jarod (Brittany Call) Wolfe, Kyle Wolfe, and his daughter Raquel (Roy) Roush; stepson Ryan (Maryjane) Miller; Brother Scott (Holly) Wolfe; grandchildren Jaycee Carpenter, Aashtyn Roush, Kyson Roush, Annastasia Wolfe; Brayden Miller, and Addyson Miller; brother in law Mark Russell; and sister in law Lisa Russell. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

 Bryan had high regard for all of those that he worked with at Kyger Creek, and leaves behind those cherished friendships from his work family and also his racing family.

 Friends and family attending services and visitation are asked to wear casual attire at Bryan’s request—Racing shirts if you have them.

 In lieu of flowers the family asks that everyone donate to the Racine-Southern Scholarship Association; RE: Bryan Wolfe.  Donations can be mailed to Gordon Fisher,  P.O. Box 271; Syracuse, Ohio.  A scholarship will be given in Bryan’s name.

Services will be entrusted to Cremeens-King Funeral Home in Racine, Ohio.  The funeral will be officiated by Pastor Larry Fisher. Services will be held at the Racine Methodist Church at 2 p.m.  on Saturday, August 3, 2024 with interment to follow with Military Honors in Greenwood Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 11 to 2 at the church prior to the funeral.                       

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Bryan Jay Wolfe hosted by Cremeens Funeral Homes, Inc..