Fort Worth, TX- James (Ben) Wolf passed away at his home with his family on August 21, 2020. Ben was born on October 31, 1953 in Hardtner, Kansas. He is survived by his wife Pam, his children; Jim Wolf, Tiffany and Scott Smith, Annie and Jimmie Green, his granddaughter Annette Smith, his step-mother Mary Wolf, and sister Anna Dell Johnson. At 18 years of age Ben served in the U.S. Navy at which time he led Bible Studies for military personnel with the Navigators. Following his marriage to Pam Blankenship on August 7, 1976 he attended LeTourneau University and earned his BA in Business with Aviation Technology. Following graduation Ben went to work for Mitsubishi Aircraft in San Angelo Texas as a quality engineer until the Lord called him into full time international mission work. He and Pam served 31 years with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. He ministered for 19 years in the Philippines, a year and a half as Associate Director of the International Learning Center in Rockville Virginia, and the last 10 years as Area Director For East and Southeast Asia with Baptist Global Response. As Area Director Ben trained in Community Development and Disaster Response. Training was his passion and being with people and inspiring them in ways to share Christ is what motivated him. He will be missed by people from all over the world that were impacted by his life. He will also be sorely missed in his role as husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to his relatives and his mission family as well. To celebrate Ben’s life a memorial service will be held on August 28, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Travis Avenue Baptist Church, Fort Worth, TX. In lieu of flowers donations can be given in Ben’s name to Baptist Global Response (gobgr.org) or Shevet Achim ministry (shevet.org). Condolences for the family may be offered at www.lonestarcremation.com
7 Responses
I had the privilege of having the top bunk in a room with Ben in a Navigator house off base with two other guys while we were involved in the Navigator ministry. He and the two others did ministry (evangelism, Bible Study, and discipleship) at Cecil Field where they were stationed and I did the same at NAS Jax where I was stationed. We also did Bible Studies and fellowship events at the house (as well as chores). That is when I got to know Ben as “Old Hound Dog” (‘course he called me “Heavy Hand”). We spent about a year together in that home. I also worked part-time at a Sears warehouse, and he worked part-time at a banana processing plant. My last summer in the Navy, all four of us had the opportunity to go on a two-week deployment to a bombing range in Fallon, Nevada. One weekend five of us took a bus to Reno, rented a Volkswagen Beetle, and drove across the mountains to Lake Tahoe to sightsee, as well as meet his Aunt and Uncle. Ben had a true love for the Lord, a deep desire for people to know the Lord, and a love for life itself. He was always fun to be with. I consider it an honor to have known and ministered with him…if only for a short time. I have no doubt that the Kingdom will be filled with people that his life has touched.
Pam,Jim,Annie and Tiffany,
I met Ben in 1972,when he was stationed here in the Navy. I considered him one of my closest friends and I will miss and love him always. He is with the Lord and will never know any pain or suffering ever again. May this knowledge comfort and sustain you.
Love thoughts and prayers,
Johnny
Marsha Pringle Snider, August 24, 2020, To Miss Pam and Jim and Annie and Tiffany. I just want y’all to know that I’m so sorry for your loss. I met Ben in 1972 while visiting my grandmother and my Uncle Johnny. He was always so helpful and so nice to them when he was there. He was also very spiritually inspiring!
I had the pleasure of meeting Ben in 1972 while serving at NAS Cecil Field. We served together in the Navigators and spent many off duty hours together in the associated activities. His enfluences played a major part in my decision to accept Christ as my personal savior and in the development of my early Christian years. I am greatly grieved by his passing and my heart goes out to his family.
Wendell
Sending so much love, many prayers & warm thoughts to Pam, Jim, the Smiths, & the Greens.
I know Ben best as TIFF’s dad. What an awesome man of Christ. A proud husband and father and grandad.
Love to you all ❤️
Dear Pam and all the family. We were together in missionary training in 1987 and had not seen each other or had any contact that I’m aware of since then. But we do remember you and are joining you in mourning today. We attended Ben’s service online. None of us knew what was ahead and certainly not what was coming 33 years down the road. One of our children, Chris, is the new Send Relief area director for SubSaharan Africa. So he and Amy will be following in your and Ben’s footsteps just in another part of the world. May the Lord bless and heal you all. Love Bill & Pauline Eardensohn
We had the amazing privilege of working with Ben and Pam in Southeast Asia as part of the BGR team and then filling their very large shoes when we took on the role of Area Director for Asia Rim three years ago. Ben is a person who loved community, loved people, and inspired everyone he knew to serve God with all of their hearts. We learned so much from both him and Pam. His humble, gentle spirit and great sense of humor helped us get through some difficult challenges during the times we worked together and even since they retired. He inspired people to have a vision for what God could do in and through communities. He was always welcoming people, including them, and making everyone feel like they belonged no matter the situation. When we stepped into their role as Area Directors for BGR in Southeast Asia, we will never forget the encouragement and support he expressed to us and his confidence in us that we would succeed. It meant so much and continues to inspire us today. We had the high honor of knowing him and look forward to the time when we see him again. This verse is one of many that describes his life. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain” John 15:16a. We are praying for you, Pam, as well as your whole family. Much love, Pat and Veronica Melancon