Kenneth Bolin

James Kenneth Bolin, 88, of Mount Vernon, Texas, departed this life Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024.

He was born in Mount Vernon, Texas April 25, 1936, to Bernie D and J. Blanche Bolin, and graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1954. He participated in choir, band and football, but those activities interfered with his hunting schedule, so he discontinued them. The only thing more important than hunting squirrels and deer was Sue Banks of Hagansport, Texas, whom he married in 1955.

Kenneth graduated from East Texas State College in 1958 with a BBA in Accounting, and then taught business courses in Blackwell and Edinburg high schools before moving back to Mount Vernon, Texas to buy the family business, Bolin Oil, in 1962. In addition to managing the historic Bolin service station on Holbrook St., he delivered diesel to many customers in several counties, as well as gasoline to several area service stations and the MVISD school bus fleet. From municipalities to small dairy farms, Kenneth drove countless country roads as he delivered fuel in his blue tanker truck.

His favorite pastime of wild game hunting would take him throughout Texas, Alabama, Idaho, New Mexico and Colorado, where he enjoyed an escape to the coolness and beauty of the Rocky Mountains. A lifetime member of the National Rifle Association (NRA), he was an expert marksman and gun afficionado and was a published author of poems and articles in sporting magazines, including Field & Stream, American Hunter, American Rifleman and Gun Digest.

He was also a member of Northeast Texas Forest Land Owners Association, Winnsboro Gun Club, Franklin County Historical Association and Franklin County Genealogy Society.

Kenneth was a baptized believer in Jesus Christ and a lifelong worshipper at the Mount Vernon church of Christ. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Sue Banks Bolin; son, Anthony Bolin and longtime cherished family friend, Obed Gonzalez; daughter, Andra Bennett House and husband David; brother, Dwight Bolin and wife Carolyn; first cousins, Dan Moore, Wayne Moore and Debbie Tumey of Garland, Otho Jean Marlar of N. Little Rock, Ann Barrett of Phoenix and Bill Allen of Maricopa; and 5 nieces and nephews.

Funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Sam B. Harvey Funeral Home and visitation will be one hour prior to the service at 1:00 p.m. Bro. Jerrod Hammond and Bro. Preston McElyea will be officiating. Pallbearers are Michael Marlar, Randy Ford, Dan Moore, John Stanley, Alvin Hatcher,  Ed Joyce, Ronnie Stoker, and Mike Wafford. Honorary pallbearers will be Bo Wafford and John Dunn.

Memorials may be directed to the Franklin County Genealogy Society and the Franklin County Historical Association.

Serices are entrusted to Sam B. Harvey Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.samharveyfuneralhome.com

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