Carl Woofter, retired Physician’s 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 step daughter, Karlee Bliss, husband Austin of Holdredge, Nebraska; and his 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 death by his father, Dale Carrier Woofter, sister, Sherida Linn Shoff, and 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 would graduate from Hoxie High School in 1980. During his early years, Carl worked at the family business, Woofter Pump and Well. He traveled extensively with his dad and brothers, pulling and drilling new water wells all around the country. After some time working with his family, Carl ventured out on his own, doing many different occupations, hauling drilling mud to oil rigs, construction, and a short stint as a jeweler and as an entrepreneur owning a Photo Shop.
As a late bloomer to Academia, Carl didn’t pursue his career path in the medical field 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 Suma Cum Laude. In 1998, he was accepted into the Wichita State University Physician Assistant’s Program. In 2000, he graduated Cum Laude as a Physician Assistant and practiced for 15 years until declining health forced his early retirement.
As a Physician Assistant, Carl was known as the people’s provider. His passion was taking care of patients and providing the best healthcare possible to the rural and remote underserved population of any community in which he practiced. He also was a firm believer in investing in the future of healthcare. He did this in partnership with Wichita State University by serving as a mentor for students in the Physician Assistant’s Program during their rotation in Family Practice.
Carl was an avid fisherman and he loved to travel. Anytime you could combine traveling and fishing you could count on Carl with his bags packed and his pole ready to go. His greatest joy was fishing with family and friends and his fondest memories fishing with his Dad, Dale.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 20, 2023, 2:00pm to 7:00pm, Mickey – Leoppold Funeral Home with family 5:00pm-7:00pm. Funeral Services will be held for Carl at First Christian Church, Hoxie, Kansas on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 10:30am with Pastor Carl Dumler officiating.
A memorial in Carl’s memory has been suggested to the Woofter Family for a future designation.