Leland Eugene “John” Bolden

Leland Eugene “John” Bolden

Leland Eugene “John” Bolden, age 79, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at his home. He was born Dec. 2, 1943, in Fort Scott, the son of Arthur Shrakes and Violet Bolden. Following high school, John enlisted with the United States Army. The Army became a career for John and he served for 20 years. John married Barbara Ann Audilet on Nov. 29, 1966, at Lowell, Ariz. After retirement from the military, John and his family moved to Arizona where John began his second career as a copper miner. He worked as an equipment operator in the copper mines for another 20 years. John retired from mining in 2003. He and Barbara lived for a short time in Iowa before relocating to Fort Scott, Kan., partly because Fort Scott had better fishing. In addition to fishing, John also enjoyed hunting and working on vehicles as long as they weren’t Chevys.

Survivors include two daughters, Laura Barenthin of Fort Scott and Barbara Ann Spinazzola (Tony) of Mesa, Ariz.; six grandchildren, Craig Bolden, Jasmine Tomasi (Ethan), Lillian Barenthin, Alex Bolden, Sierra Spinazzola and Caitlyn Spinazzola and four great-grandchildren, Tessa Goddard, Auryana Bolden, Jonathan Bolden and Emilia Barenthin. Also surviving are three brothers, William “Bill” Fountain of Fort Scott, Richard Fountain of Joplin, Mo., and Randy Fountain, Manhattan, Kan., and three sisters, Naomi Hull of Groves, Texas and Myrtle Hull and Patty Hathaway, both of Fort Scott. John was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara on July 15, 2020. He was also preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Thelma Lewis.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.