Ernest Paul Boles, II

Ernest Paul Boles, II, age 82, died Nov. 4, 2015 in Wichita, KS. He was born Jan. 23, 1933 in Liberal, KS, the son of Ernest Paul and Vaughn Neva (Fankhauser) Boles. Paul was a lifelong resident of Seward Countyand graduated from Liberal High School in 1950.

In 1954, he graduated from Friends University with bachelor’s degree in sociology, and in 1958 he earned a bachelor’s degree in education. At Friends University he was the senior class president and a member of the Singing Quakers.  Later in life, Paul served on the Board of Friends University for many years.

On Sept. 24, 1954, Paul married Patsy Ann Rucker in Wichita, KS at University Friends Church. In the same year, the young couple returned to Seward County to follow Paul’s dream of farming and ranching, which he continued for the rest of his life. During these early days, Paul also taught history at Liberal High School. In 1963, Paul was recognised as an Outstanding Young Farmer by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce. Over the years, the Boles Ranch has been home to a registered Holstein dairy as well as registered black Angus.

Paul was an active member and supporter of the Friends Church in Liberal.  He taught Sunday school for many years and served as Clerk and Treasurer of the Monthly Meeting.

Paul truly loved people and Southwest Kansas.  He demonstrated his devotion to his community through service on numerous local boards, including the Southwest Historical Society and the Seward County Soil Conservation Board.  He was on the founding Board of Trustees of Seward County Community College and a longtime member of the Rotary Club where he had served as club President.  He was involved in banking and served on the boards of the Peoples National Bank and The Community Bank.

Paul was known locally for his talks on Seward County history and singing at numerous events throughout the years. He was active in Boy Scouts and attended the 1946 World Jamboree in Europe. He made his ranch available for Boy Scout campouts for hundreds of boys throughout the years.

Paul is survived by his wife, Patsy, his daughterSarah Boles Foreman and husband David of Liberal, KS, his son Ernest Paul Boles, III andwife Katharina of Kronberg, Germany, and his sister JoAnne Fitzgerald of Liberal, KS. He also is survived by five grandchildren: Nathan Foreman and wife Sarah Michelle; Anna-Vaughn Ewertt and husband Jason; Ernest Paul Boles, IV; Oliver Boles and MeganBoles; and seven great-grandchildren: Abigail Foreman; Levi Foreman; Mariah Foreman; Isaac Paul Foreman; Luke Ewertt; William Ewertt and Adalynne Vaughn Ewertt.He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015 at the Friends Church of Liberal, with Pastor Michael Miller presiding.  A private burial will be held at the Liberal Cemetery.

Visitation time will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Brenneman Funeral Home. 

In lieu of flowers and plants, memorial contributions may be sent to the Friends Church of Liberal, Friends University or Brent’s Place (a home for families with kids fighting cancer) in care of Brenneman Funeral Home 1212 W. 2nd Liberal, KS  67901.