James Harold Boaldin

James Harold Boaldin, age 86, of Elkhart, Kansas died February 5, 2018, at Morton County Senior Living Memory Care Unit in Elkhart, Kansas. He was born April 23, 1931, on the family farmstead near Wilburton, Kansas, son of James T. and Martha Boaldin. He accepted Christ as his savior as a young boy.

James grew up in Texas County, Oklahoma, near the Kansas-Oklahoma state line west of Elkhart. James attended various country schools, Round Top, Cosmos, and Sandy Hook before coming to Elkhart in the sixth grade. He graduated from Elkhart High School in 1949. James served in the United States Army Signal Corps at Camp Gordon in Georgia and attended leadership training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. While stationed in Georgia, James talked his commanding officer into a few days leave so he could return to Elkhart to surprise his fiancé Willena, and took his bride back to Georgia.

After they returned to Elkhart, he worked at the Southwest Machine Shop, Star Lumber Yard, Tebow Drug Store and retired from Anadarko Production Company in 1986. He was an active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church. James served the community as a member of civic organizations including Jaycees, City Council, Little League Coach and Elkhart School Board. James was admired for his honorable character, strong work ethic, generosity and dedication to his family. He had a unique sense of humor, was a talented woodworker and enjoyed gardening.

On January 6, 1953, James married Willena Stewart, she survives.

Other survivors include three daughters: Sheryl Wagner and husband Kenny, Garden City, KS; Janet DeWeese and husband Ron, Clearwater, KS; Joan McMillan and husband Bill, Colorado Springs, CO, one son: Kent Boaldin and wife Diana, Elkhart, 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren (and two additional great-grandchildren on the way). Brother, Bill Boaldin and wife Pat, Prescott, AZ; sister, Joyce Carson, Pampa, TX; brother-in-law, Lane Sparkman, Pagosa Springs, CO; and sisters-in-law: Dian Boaldin, Oklahoma City, OK and Dixie Boaldin, Elkhart, KS; along with many nieces and nephews.

James is preceded in death by his parents, step-father Vern Moore, brothers Johnny and Bobby, sister Karen Sparkman, and brothers-in-law Wallace Stewart and Dean Carson.

Funeral service will be Saturday, February 10, 2018, at 11:00 AM at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Elkhart, Kansas, with Pastor Terrell Giddens officiating. Friends may call Friday, February 9, 2018, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM with family present from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart, Kansas. Family requests memorials be given to the Hillcrest Baptist Church or Morton County Senior Living Community Memory Care Unit in care of Garnand Funeral Home, P.O. 854, Elkhart, Kansas 67950. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.