Pat Elder Bolin

On Thursday, February 27, 2020 Pat Elder Bolin passed away at the age of 76.

Pat was born on November 14, 1943 in Madill, Oklahoma to Elmer and Lula Bolin and attended Madill High School.  He attended Oklahoma University where he majored in English.

His career was in radio and tv where he hosted a sports talk show and also the 6 and 9 PM news as an anchor in Dallas and Sherman Texas.

Pat knew that life was difficult. As he raised his children, he was always upfront about life and death and what mattered most. Pat survived polio at age two, lost homes to a tornado and later to a flood, survived a heart attack at 50, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010, and was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2017. In his early 20’s he lost his first son Greg, age 4, in a car accident and his first daughter Misty, 20, years later in another car accident.

We live in a world that’s not made for us; death was not part of the plan and this is not our home. When a life changing disability occurs, or sickness or tragedy or loss of a loved one, we grieve because we recognize that’s not how it’s supposed to be. Pat’s life was marked by joy which doesn’t make sense having lived a life of repeated tragedy. He would be the first to tell you that God doesn’t promise that things will be ok, but he does promise he will be with us and there is something better waiting for us. That is where Pat’s joy was found. It was also found in OU football, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Big Brother, eating gizzards, fishing, and golden retrievers.

Over the past decade Pat talked about the idea of dying and constantly reminded us that if this was his time, he was ok to go. He would tell us that he has been blessed with a long life, a family that he cherished, friends that loved him, a wife that he adored, and a savior that had forgiven him. He looked forward to being reunited with his children, his parents, and many dear friends.

Throughout his whole life every relationship was intentional. He told his children that besides loving and following Jesus the most important decision you can make is choosing a marriage partner who loves the Lord and puts Him first. He was so thankful that he found the great love of his life in Theresa, and they had a wonderful marriage of nearly 30 years. Pat and Theresa worked hard at loving others and loving Jesus and because of that, we are enjoying the memories he left us and the kind words and stories from all those he impacted.

Pat is preceded in death by Elmer and Lula Bolin, Misty Ann Bolin, and Gregory James Bolin. He is survived by his wife Theresa, his five children: Patrick Zachary  Bolin (Maeve), Constance Brooke Grande (Eric), Brett Thomas Dolinski (Lauren), Kyle David Dolinski (Alanna), and Pat Bolin Jr. (Cindy), and his brother Joe Bolin, along with 17 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Pat was looking forward to meeting his two new grandchildren late March/April.

Today his family is thankful - thankful that even though Pat had many difficult life events come his way, he never gave up on his faith and because of it was able to find healing and restoration to encourage others going through similar experiences. We are also thankful for a God who didn’t give up on Pat when he was far from Him and won’t give up on us either.

Though we miss Pat Bolin we know he is with Jesus and that through Jesus, we will be with him again. 

A visitation will be held from 6 PM – 8 PM on March 6^th, at Christ's Church,1859 Town Hall Circle, Fleming Island, Fl 32003.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10 AM, March 7^th, Christ's Church,1859 Town Hall Circle, Fleming Island, Fl 32003.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for all donations to be made to Christ Church Fleming Island in honor of Pat. Mail gift to 6045 Greenland Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32258 or you can give an online gift https://www.christs.church/give

Please put in the memo section Pat Bolin’s Legacy.