LeGrande Bolton

LeGrande "Lee" Bolton, 89, of Victor Idaho passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on January 15, 2013. He was born August 21, 1923 in Logan, Utah to Frank Leslie Bolton and Cornelia Ann (Poulsen) Bolton. He was the fourth child in the family of five brothers;Bruce, Harold, Scott, Paul and Howard and four sisters; Joyce (Thomas), Mary (Bunn), Anna (Hill) and Evelynn (Harrell). He grew up on a family farm in Paris Idaho. After losing his mother at age 16, he left school in Paris to work in Ashton Idaho to support his family. Soon after, he joined the CCC's and then in 1942 enlisted in the Navy during World War II and was a gunner in the Asia/Pacific. He received an honorary discharge in 1946, after contracting Malaria while serving. Lee was driving bus out of Rock springs, Wyo. when he met the love of his life, Antonia "Toni" Dolence on a blind date, and they married in 1947. They moved to SLC immediately after the ceremony and stayed for two more years before moving to Pueblo, Colorado, where they were blessed with their daughter, Le-Anne. In 1954, Lee moved his new family back to Salt Lake City area for work and to be closer to the families in Bear Lake and Rock Springs. He was the Regional Manager of Ringsby Truck Lines in Ogden and later, a "long-haul" driver with Pacific Intermountain Express ("P.I.E.") Trucking. Throughout his years he received numerous awards, including the Million Mile (safe driving) Award. In 1965, he was transferred to Northern California by P.I.E. where they lived in Union City and Livermore. Upon the death of his father-in-law (Rudolph Dolence Sr.) in 1976, Lee and Toni moved to the Hoback, south of Jackson Hole, Wy. There, he gained employment for the Wyoming State Highway Dept. The locals raved about how well he maintained their roads during his 12 1/2 years working there. Shortly after retiring in 1988, Lee bore witness to his greatest joy, the birth of his Grandson. In 1992, Lee and Toni purchased a home in Victor Idaho to be closer to Le-Anne and family. Here, (as with every home they ever lived in over their lifetime), they took special pride in landscaping and maintaining one of the most beautiful lawns and gardens in the area. He was on the Victor Planning and Zoning Committee in the mid-90s, and was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Lee was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, held the Melchizedek priesthood and fulfilled countless callings. In 1998 Lee and Toni were married and sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple for all time and eternity. Lee was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Full of love and empathy, he truly saw the good in everything. He always lived on the positive side of life without ever passing judgment. A courageous man with a zest for life, he managed many medical obstacles in his later years. But he continued to stay focused on living and loving. Lee was preceded in death by his parents, all his brothers, his sister, Joyce and numerous nieces and nephews. Lee is survived and dearly missed by his little sweetheart, Toni, his daughter Le-Anne (Vernon Lewis), grandson Brandon, and sisters, Mary, Anna & Evelyn and a multitude of nieces and nephews and families. Beautiful Memorial services were held Jan19, 2013 in Victor, Idaho under the direction of Bishop Val Kunz. Interment was in Paris, ID with full military rites on a sunny, blue-sky day. What more could a man ask for?

Condolences may be sent to the family or sent online to valleymortuarydriggs.com In lieu of flowers the family requests any contributions be sent to the Wounded Warriors Fund in honor of LG Bolton.

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