Thomas Michael Wolter, 71

Thomas Michael Wolter (71) passed away unexpectedly on March 26, 2024 in his home. 

Tom was born on July 12, 1952 in Dubuque, Iowa to Olive (Buzz) and Alois (Al) Wolter. He was the first of their 7 children- he spent all of his childhood years there, graduating from Marquette High School in 1970.

He enlisted in the United States Navy in September of 1970. After completing basic training, FT “A”, enlisted submarine training, and FT “C” school, he was assigned to the USS George Washington as a Torpedo Fire Control Technician until May 1975. He was selected into the Naval Enlisted Scientific Education Program-graduating from the University of Idaho, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical engineering in 1978- with that achievement establishing himself as a commissioned officer. He completed Submarine School  and Poseidon C3 Strategic Weapons Officer Training in 1979. He served on the USS Lafayette as Assistant Weapons Officer and then was assigned as Weapons Officer until 1985. From 1985 until 1989 he served as Weapons System Analysis and Evaluation Assistant for the Director, Strategic Systems Programs in Washington DC. He reported for training in 1989 to the Navy Diving and Salvage Center where he completed Deep Sea Mixed Gas Diving Officer Course and earned his qualifications as a US Navy Diver. He served as the Strategic Weapons Training Officer at Guided Missile School Dam Neck in Virginia Beach Virginia from 1990-1991. He served as Executive Officer of the USS Kittiwake until 1993, completing his Surface Warfare Officer Qualification. He was then assigned to the Joint Operation Center/Command Center of the Commander in Chief, United States Atlantic Command.

He ended his career after 28 years, retiring as the Commanding Officer of Naval Submarine Torpedo Facility in Yorktown, Virginia in 1999. He is authorized to wear the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, the Navy Achievement Medal with Gold Star, Navy Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Star, various Service ribbons and the FBM Patrol Pin ( 11 Patrols).

He transitioned from his career in the military to a career as a teacher. He obtained his Masters in Education from Old Dominion University in 1996 and began teaching 5th grade at Cedar Road Elementary in 1999.There he was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2003. He moved to Florida and began teaching  in 2004 at Swimming Pen Elementary and then later at OakLeaf High School. He taught all levels of math and served as department chair. He was very involved in his student’s success and always went the extra mile for anyone. He retired in the summer of 2018.

In retirement you could find him on the water, fishing, tinkering in his garage, or figuring out how “he could make that”. He loved his wife, his family and especially his grandchildren, and his faithful dog, Boomer- who was with him to the end.

Tom is survived by his wife, Christi, his children Benjamin and Courtney, Karen, Kristen, and Justin, and his grandchildren Olivia and Adelina, Gannon, Tanner, Tucker, Tatum, and Trip, Greyson and Gian Luca.

He is also survived by his parents Al and Buzz Wolter, siblings Terry (Ron) Sheedy, Tracey (Mark) Hueneke, Trudy(Jeff) Theisen, Tammy (Don) Zimmer, Tim (Jill) Wolter, and Toby (Nicole) Wolter and many nieces and nephews and extended family.

The family will host a viewing at Russell Haven of Rest Funeral Home from 5pm-7pm on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 located at 2335 Sandridge Rd- Green Cove Springs FL 32043.  There will be a service at St. Luke’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 10:30am located at 1606 Blanding Blvd, Middleburg FL 32068.

There will be additional arrangements at a later date for a Celebration of Life in Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to either the American Heart Association or the Mayo Clinic.

Our families will not be the same without Tom.

Arrangements are under the care of Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL  32043.  Family and friends may share their condolences at: www.RHRFH.com 904-284-7720