David Horton Bolin, 75, died Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at his home in Shawnee, KS with his two sons by his side.
Mr. Bolin was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, to his parents Horton and Jean (Waitman) Bolin. At an early age, the family spent time in Northern Iowa before eventually migrating to the Kansas City area where he remained a lifelong resident, specifically Shawnee and Kansas City, KS.
After graduating from Shawnee Mission North High School in 1962 where he was an award-winning debater, he studied Speech and Broadcasting at Kansas City Kansas Community College and the University of Missouri, Kansas City (UMKC). His higher education goals were put on hold as he was drafted in the United States Army. His service time was from 1967-1971, where a tour of Vietnam was awaiting. After his enlistment, he was able to complete his degree from UMKC in 1972. Also in the early 1970s, he met the love of his life, Nancy Lynne (Childers). David and Nancy married on April 14, 1972 and remained wed until her passing in 2011.
Shortly after his Army tour, he started working for the local television station KCMO (now KCTV-5) as a Film Librarian. He then went on to being the Program Distribution Manager and finally an Operating Engineer. He worked for KCTV for 30 years and retired in 2001.
David and Nancy shared a passion for their many pets throughout the years. There was never a time that several cats and dogs weren’t part of the family. David was an extreme avid reader and had a knack for writing that was largely unmatched. A profound hobby of his was being an amateur Cartoonist. Many of his cartoons are still passed around some of the social media groups he belonged to. He found a deep pleasure in being a DeMolay ‘Dad’/mentor and spent decades as a member of the Delaware Masonic Lodge where he held the position of Master of the Lodge and served as the Lodge Secretary until recently. Finally, David was a devout supporter to everything his sons, Ron and Jerry, were involved in. Later, he replicated that role for his four grandsons and grandaughter.
Mr, Bolin is preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Lynne. He is survived by his sons, Ron of Shawnee, and Jerry, of O’Fallon, IL, his sister, Kris and husband Michael Stouffer, Overland Park, five grandchildren, Dakota, Taylor, Zachary, Garrett and Cheyanne, three great-grandchildren, brother/sister-in law, nieces, cousins, and many, many friends.
A visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Sunday, August 9, 2020 at the Porter Funeral Home 1835 Minnesota. Ave., Kansas City, KS 66102
Memorial donations may be given to the family in care of the Porter Funeral Home.