Bob Boaldin
Bob Boaldin, age 77, of Elkhart, Kansas died Thursday, December 29, 2016, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was born November 3, 1939, in Texas County, Oklahoma the son of James T. and Martha Lucille (Zinn) Boaldin.
After graduating from Elkhart High School in 1957, Bob attended one semester at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. During that semester, he met Dian Whitecotton. In April of 1958, Bob and Dian married. They had two sons and adopted one daughter: Travis, Trenton and Roxanna.
Until 1964, Bob farmed wheat and milo, and worked part-time for Curtis Whitecotton at Elkhart Phone Company. January 1964 he began his life long 51 year career in the communications industry.
He remained faithful to Elkhart and Morton County serving as a city councilman, mayor, 28 years as county commissioner, 13 years as an EMT, annual supporter of the county fair and junior livestock sales, founder and director of the First National Bank, purchased Elkhart Telephone Company, Inc. in 1977 and became owner of Elkhart TV cable system in 1978.
In 1977, he began serving on a myriad of state and national committees and boards.
President of the State of Kansas Telephone Association, Kansas Supreme Court Blue Ribbon Commission, founding member of WEKANDO (Western Kansas County Commissioners Organization), Kansas 911 Coordinating Council, President of the State of Kansas Legislative Policy Group, Commerce and Housing Appreciation Regional Award, Kansas Governor’s Award of Excellence, Small Business of the Year in Guymon, Oklahoma, Hero Award from Texas County Fair and Exposition, Senator Jerry Moran’s Executive Committee, and appointed to Governmental Ethics Commission Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board by Steve Morris.
In 1975, Bob began nineteen years of service on the board of directors of OPASTCO (Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telephone Companies) with headquarters in Washington DC. He was a founding member of OPASTCO’S FRED (the Foundation for Rural Education and Development) with scholarship awards to selected United States’ graduating seniors, including seniors in Elkhart.
1986 Bob was elected to the Board of Directors of United States Telecom (national communications organization with offices in Washington DC). Upon Bob’s retirement, USTelecom accepted his retirement, “With gratitude for your contributions to your industry and continuing commitment to your customers, community, and county”.
At Hillcrest Baptist Church, Bob loved the church and was active in his younger years as a Sunday School teacher, nursery worker, Sunday School Superintendent, and as a deacon.
In 1981, Bob Boaldin and Dillard Parker began the development of Bob’s favorite Hobby: a cow-calf operation and farming enough acres to keep the cattle well fed. Until the day of his departure, Bob talked and made plans for the cattle and the farm.
Survivors include his wife, Dian Boaldin; son, Trenton Boaldin and wife Susan of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; daughter, Roxanna Grimes and husband Guy of Riverside, California; grandchildren, Ashley Parks of Amarillo, Texas, Blain and Ali Boaldin of Longmont, Colorado, Brittney Boaldin of Wichita, Kansas, Victoria Boaldin of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Gabrielle Grimes of Costa Mesa, California, and Greyson Grimes of Chattanooga, Tennessee; great-grandson, Karter Parks; brothers, James Boaldin of Elkhart, Kansas, Bill Boaldin of Prescott, Arizona; sister, Joyce Carson of Pampa, Texas; and a host of nephews and nieces whom he loved to hear them say “Uncle Bobby”.
Bob is preceded in death by his son, Travis Allen Boaldin; granddaughter, Hillari Riad Boaldin; father, James T. Boaldin; mother, Martha L. Moore; dad, Vern Moore; brother, Johnny Boaldin; and sister, Karen Sparkman.
Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at 2:00 PM at the Morton County Civic Center in Elkhart, Kansas with Dr. Guy Grimes officiating. Burial will follow at Elkhart Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, January 2, 2017, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Hillcrest Baptist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950.
