Salute to James Clyde Bolain

My Uncle James "Jim" Clyde Bolain passed away on Sunday. We will all miss him. He was funny, loving, onery and opinionated. He was a wonderful husband, brother, father, grandfather, and uncle. My little brother was named after him, because he was my Mother's oldest brother.

Pictured left to right: Donnie Bolain, Ralph Bolain, Avaon Gastineau, Herb Bolain, Jim Bolain and Ed Bolain.

Nedra and Jim Bolain

My Uncle Jim loved to have family around him as you can see in these photos. His wonderful memories will keep him alive in our hearts forever.

My favorite Uncle Jim story is long long ago when I was really young....Uncle Jim bought my Aunt Nedra a new car. He and my Dad went out to look at the car in the driveway. My Uncle Jim pulled out his pocket knife and took off the gas cap. He started scratching around on the inside of the gas tank opening and my Dad ask what he was doing. Uncle Jim said he just wanted to be the first to put a scratch on the new car. I can still hear my Dad laughing at that and my Uncle Jim was always doing stuff like that.

James Clyde (Jim) Bolain

James C. Bolain (Jim), decorated World War II Army Veteran, entrepreneur, fisherman, poker player, and world’s best husband, father, father-in-law, friend, and “Papa,” passed away on April 10, 2011. Jim was born June 4, 1926, on the family farm in Bella Vista, Arkansas to John Wesley Bolain and Edna Jewell Petty Bolain, the first of seven children. He spent most of his boyhood years in “Bear Holler,” Missouri and had many wild tales to tell of his misadventures with his brothers. Jim married the love of his life, Nedra McGinnis, on September 7, 1950. He always said he wanted nothing for himself, but wanted her to have everything she ever wanted. Nedra spent over 60 years helping him fulfill that wish! Jim and Nedra’s children, Diana Lynn Ingraham and James Ricky Bolain, their eight grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren were his pride and joy. Jim co-owned two businesses: J&J Motor Services and Bolain Equipment, the Blue Bird Bus franchise for the states of Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas, with his brother Herbert D. Bolain. Jim was active in the Tulsa Moose Lodge #862 and the American Legion. He served four terms as Governor and earned the Pilgrim Degree, the highest honor bestowed by the lodge. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Herb. He is survived by his wife, Nedra, his daughter, Diana, her husband Michael J. Ingraham, his son Rick, his wife Donna F. Bolain, eight grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by five brothers and sisters: Ralph Bolain, Edwin Bolain, Pansy Pearl Bolain Gastineau, Donnie Bolain, and Sharon Evans. Jim was loved, admired, and respected by all he encountered. A celebration of his life will be held at the Tulsa Moose Lodge, 11106 East 7th Street, Tulsa, OK 74128-1644 on April 16, at 1 P.M.

Moore’s Southlawn 663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com