Carl Woofter, a retired physician assistant, passed away at KU Medical Center on February 13, 2023, at the age of 61. Carl is survived by his wife of 11 years, Lee Woofter, his children: Hannah Woofter of Kansas City, Missouri, Dylan Woofter of Overland Park, Kansas, Kaitlyn Leighton, husband William of Hays, Kansas, AJ Woofter, wife Kali of Merriam, Kansas , Corey Stevens, wife Alysse of Holly, Colorado, and stepdaughter, Karlee Bliss, husband Austin of Holdredge, Nebraska ; and her seven grandchildren, Tegan Woofter of Lawrence, Kansas, Marshall and Mason Leighton of Hays, Kansas, Xander and Jasper Bliss of Holdredge, Nebraska, and Jaqueline and Eva Stevens of Holly, Colorado. He was preceded in his death by his father, Dale Carrier Woofter, his sister, Sherida Linn Shoff, and his sister-in-law, Donna Jo Woofter.
Carl was born in Atwood, Kansas on May 11, 1961, to Dale and Gladys Woofter. Dale and Gladys settled in Hoxie, Kansas where Carl graduated from Hoxie High School in 1980. During his early years, Carl worked in the family business, Woofter Pump and Well. He traveled extensively with his father and brothers, mining and drilling new water wells all over the country. After some time working with his family, Carl ventured out on his own, doing many different occupations, hauling drilling mud on oil rigs, construction, and a brief stint as a jeweler and as an entrepreneur who owned a camera shop.
A latecomer to academia, Carl did not pursue his medical career until 1994 with an associate’s degree from Fort Hays State College as a radiology technician. In 1997, Carl received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Diagnostic Imaging from Fort Hays State College, graduating with honors. In 1998, he was accepted into the Wichita State University Physician Assistant Program. He graduated with honors as a physician assistant in 2000 and practiced for 15 years until declining health forced him into early retirement.
As a physician assistant, Carl was known as the purveyor to the people. His passion was caring for patients and providing the best possible health care to the remote and underprivileged rural population of any community in which he practiced. He was also a strong believer in investing in the future of health care. He did so in partnership with Wichita State University by serving as a mentor to Physician Assistant Program students during their Family Practice rotation.
Carl was an avid fisherman and loved to travel. Whenever you could combine travel and fishing, you could count on Carl with his bags packed and his rod ready to go. His greatest joy was fishing with family and friends and the fondest memories of him fishing with his father, Dale.
The visit will take place on Monday 20 February 2023, from 14.00 to 19.00, Mickey – Leopold Funeral Home with family from 17.00 to 19.00. Funeral services will be held for Carl at First Christian Church, Hoxie, Kansas on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 10:30 am with Pastor Carl Dumler officiating.
A memorial to Carl has been suggested to the Woofter family for a future designation.
