John Bolden

(From Cheney-Witt Funeral Chapel)

Leland Eugene “John” Bolden, age 79, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at his home. He was born December 2, 1943, in Ft. 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 twenty years. 

John married Barbara Ann Audilet on November 29, 1966, at Lowell, Arizona. 

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 twenty years. John retired from mining in 2003. He and Barbara lived for a short time in Iowa before relocating to Ft. Scott, Kansas partly because Ft. 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 Ft. Scott and Barbara Ann Spinazzola (Tony) of Mesa, Arizona; 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 Ft. Scott, Richard Fountain of Joplin, Missouri and Randy Fountain, Manhattan, Kansas and three sisters, Naomi Hull of Groves, Texas and Myrtle Hull and Patty Hathaway, both of Ft. 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 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, November 21st 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, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com