John Bolus Obituary

JOHNSON CITY - John R. Bolus, Sr., 91, Johnson City, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, following a lengthy battle with Dementia.

John was a native and proud lifelong resident of Johnson City. He was a son of the late William Jack and Pauline Tucker Bolus.

John was a 1951 graduate of Science Hill High School. While attending Science Hill, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp, and after it was realized he was underage, John returned to complete high school. He then re-enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served in the Korean War on the USS Frontier. Upon his discharge from the Navy, he attended East Tennessee State College.

John worked for Piedmont Airlines before beginning his nearly forty-year career with the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Traffic Controller and Data Systems Specialist, working out of airports in Aniston, AL, Crossville, TN, and finally at Tri-Cities Regional Airport, retiring in 1992.

Following retirement from the FAA, he went to work for the Washington County Sheriff's Department where John served ten years as a court officer for The Honorable Judge Stewart Cannon and The Honorable Judge Robert Lincoln. He loved his time that he served as Bailiff, which led him into public service. John served on the Board of Zoning Appeals and ended his second career of public service as a Washington County Constable. He took pride in his accomplishments, and with hard work and determination, lived through The Great Depression, World War II, serving his country in the Korean War, and two careers which he loved.

John was a licensed private pilot, a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, a 32nd Degree Mason and member of the Sinking Creek Masonic Lodge #575 F&AM.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, William Bolus.

John is survived by his loving wife of thirty-eight years, Nanci Barham Bolus; seven children, John R. Bolus, Jr. and wife Sharon, Kingsport, Jeanne Bolus Bell and husband Rick, Roswell, GA, Judy Bolus Lanning and husband Chris, Westerville, OH, Jennifer Bolus and husband Scott Worrell, Todd Fields, Laura Fields, and Audree T. Fields, all of Johnson City; ten grandchildren, Drew Bell (Olivia), Atlanta, GA, Katie Bell Davis (Boo), Marietta, GA, Jordan Lanning Humphrey (Mark), and Taylor Lanning Underwood (Austin), all of Westerville, OH, Gaines Snodderly and John Richardson, both of Johnson City, Nick Fields, Knoxville, Ashton Fields, Kennedy Fields, and Matt Letterman, all of Johnson City; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, Frank "Jack" Bolus, Johnson City, Dr. Michael "Mickey" Bolus and wife Betty, Rock Hill, SC; several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Lakebridge Healthcare and a very special friend and caregiver, Rhonda Lowder, for the exceptional care given to John.

The funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 12:30 P.M., from the East Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Home, with Dr. Michael Bolus, officiating.

The graveside committal service will follow at 2:00 P.M. at the Historic Site of Mountain Home National Cemetery, with military honors being accorded by members of the Bluff City DAV Post #39, and special music by Jon Shell, Bagpiper. Active pallbearers will be grandsons and grandsons-in-law, Drew Bell, Gaines Snodderly, John Richardson, Nick Fields, Matt Letterman, Mark Humphrey, Austin Underwood, and Jonathan "Boo" Davis. Honorary pallbearer is grandson, Ashton Fields.

The family will receive friends Tuesday prior to the service from 10:30 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. in the East Parlor of the funeral home.

Those who prefer to make memorial donations in-lieu-of flowers may do so in John's honor to the Haven of Mercy Rescue Mission, 123 W. Millard St., Johnson City, TN 37604.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.appfh.net.

Appalachian Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 800 E. Watauga Ave., Johnson City, TN 37601, is honored to serve the Bolus family. (928-6111)