Barry Bolin

Barry Lee Bolin, 68, passed away at 1:22 p.m. on Saturday, May 16th, 2015 at his home in Paducah, KY surrounded by his loving family and closest friends after a 7-year battle with multiple myeloma.

Mr. Bolin was the Distribution Superintendent at Paducah Water, where he was a dedicated employee for almost 21 years. He was well respected by his colleagues and peers and was a valued, longstanding member of the Kentucky Board of Certification of Drinking Water System Operators. In 2012, Mr. Bolin was honored with the prestigious Earl T. Mitchell award from the Kentucky Water and Wastewater Operators Association.

Barry was a native of Clinton, KY and graduated from Hickman County High School in 1964. He then attended the University of Kentucky, where he studied Agronomy and was a cadet in the University of Kentucky Army ROTC program. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Field Artillery Branch of the Unites States Army upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1968. He served a 2-year, active-duty commitment, including tours in Germany and South Korea, was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, and was honorably discharged in 1971. After serving his country, Barry returned to Lexington, KY where he was a field representative who sold seed corn for the Pioneer Seed Company in the Central Kentucky area. During this time, he also formed life-long friendships with Mr. Wm. E. Goeltz, Mr. Larry Day, Mr. Charles Curry, Mr. Jack “Jackie Lee” Ingle, and the late Ms. Rita J. Keys. He then relocated and spent several years in Fort Collins, CO with his friend Larry Day, where they were known as, “the Kentucky Brothers, Larry and Barry.” He enjoyed skiing, rock climbing, mountaineering, and numerous other outdoor activities with his close friends Ms. Cathy Morin, Mr. Ian Rich, and Mr. Dick Spiess. Barry then returned to Clinton in the summer of 1980 after his father, Earl Moore Bolin, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma to help with the family business and care for his father. Barry’s father passed away in 1982, shortly after he met his future wife, Jacqueline “Jacky” Denise Yates, who was employed at Western Baptist Hospital where Earl received treatment for his myeloma. After his father passed, Barry traversed the country as the owner-operator of a semi truck that he called “Big Blue” for several years. Barry and Jacky were married in 1983 and were then blessed with their first son, Barrett Levi Bolin, in late January of 1984. Barry took a position with the City of Grand Rivers, KY in 1988 where he was first introduced to water treatment and distribution by his wife’s uncle, Mr. Randell O’Bryan. Barry had found his true calling and then took a position with the North Marshall Water District in 1991. Barry and Jacky relocated to their current home in Reidland, KY shortly before the birth of their second son, Wesley Hunter Bolin, in early October of 1992. Two years later, Barry was hired by Paducah Water and rose quickly through the ranks, being promoted from a laborer position to Assistant Distribution Superintendent after only six months. Barry was later promoted to Distribution Superintendent and worked tirelessly with his team at Paducah Water, Mr. James Grimm, Mr. Darran Rankin, Mr. Scott Shrum, and Mr. Glen Anderson, to improve the operation and quality of water service provided to the Paducah-McCracken County area. Barry was also actively involved in Boy Scouting with the former Troop 22, where both of his sons achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Barry most loved spending time with his family and pets, listening to music, and playing golf with his friends Mr. Harold “Pee-Wee” Wood, Mr. John Powell, and the late Mr. Joe Dempsey at Paxton Park Golf Course in Paducah.

Mr. Bolin is survived by his wife of almost 32 years, Mrs. Jacky Bolin; two sons, Dr. Levi Bolin and Wesley Bolin; his mother, Mrs. Fern C. Bolin of Clinton, KY; his older brother, Dr. David E. Bolin and his wife, Mrs. Jean Terry Bolin, of Tuscaloosa, AL; his paternal aunt, Mrs. Gladys Bolin Fields of Paducah; and several cousins, three nieces, and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Mr. Earl Moore Bolin.

A memorial service will be held for Barry on Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at Lindsey Funeral Home in Paducah, KY. Mr. Chuck Jordan and Barry’s nephew, Mr. David Alan Bolin, will lead the memorial service. Visitation for friends and family will take place from 5-7 p.m. Barry requested that memorial contributions be made to the Kentucky-Southern Indiana Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, The American Cancer Society Memorial Foundation Hope Lodge of Nashville, TN, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Myeloma Institute in Little Rock, AR.

Online condolences may be left at www.lindeyfuneral.com

Lindsey Funeral Home of Paducah is in charge of arrangements.

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