E. L. was born in White Chimney, OK and was the son of Ernest and Maude Hall Bolding. He married Helen Rhea Kelley on Dec. 7, 1942 in McAlester. He was drafted to work in the shipyards in San Francisco during World War II, shortly after marrying. He worked as a barber in Oklahoma City, Holdenville and El Reno before returning to McAlester in 1965 where he owned and operated the B & M Barber Shop on South First Street. He also barbered at several local nursing homes before retiring in 1994. He served on the Pittsburg County Election Board for several years. He was a longtime active member of the North "A" Church of Christ where he was an elder. He enjoyed gardening, going to church, and spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren. Survivors include two sons, Dennis Bolding, of McAlester, and Chad Bolding and wife, RoxAnna, of Tulsa; granddaughters, Angie Bolding-Martin and husband, James, of the home, Nickie Bolding, of Tulsa, and Misty Reese, of Roland; grandsons, Eric Bolding and wife, Stacey, and Jason Bolding and Brandon Bolding, all of McAlester. Also, great-grandchildren, Cayden, Colter and Cabe Martin, of the home, Trenton, Caseton, Gavin Bolding, Brayden and Ty Hoffman, all of McAlester, and Brayden and Kyler Reese, of Roland; brother-in-law, Junior Kelley and wife, Martha; nephews, Earl Grant, Don Nunn and Jimmy Nunn; nieces, Sharon Manning and Brenda Oss, and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, on May 29, 2009; parents, Ernest and Maude Bolding; sisters, Alma Bolding, Ora Grant and Ennis Nunn, and brothers, Aubrey Bolding and Elza Bolding. Pallbearers will be Eric Bolding, Jason Bolding, Brandon Bolding, James Martin, Sonny Kelley and Wesley Crafts. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the North "A" Church of Christ. Memorials may be made to Pryor Cemetery Association. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Chaney's Memorial Chapel with Gerald Heggie officiating. Burial will be at Pryor Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Chaney-Harkins Funeral Home of McAlester.
McAlester News Capital
June 30, 2009