Bennie (Ben) Ray Bolin's Obituary
Bennie (Ben) Ray Bolin, 82, of Lehigh Acres passed peacefully on Monday, 27 February 2023. He was born on Knoxville, Tennessee on 13 April 1940 to Roy and Mabel (Suffridge) Bolin.
He is preceded in death by his mother Mabel, father Roy, brother Charles, first wife Gerlinde, and third wife Evelyn.
Ben is survived by his brother Tom (Cathy); his deceased brothers widow Pat; his four children Deborah (Paul), Michael (Dana), Dennis (Julie), and David; his adopted daughter Tammie, her mother and his second wife Debbie; and his fourth and current wife of 21 years Ellen Rood and her three children Michele (Lynn), Cheri (Roger), and Travis. Ben is also survived by many grand children and great grandchildren as well as his nieces and nephews.
After growing up in Tennessee, Ben joined the Army at the age of 19 and served honorably for twenty years. Ben’s military career began in Germany; then he served in Fort Knox, Kentucky; followed by Tobyhanna Army Depot, Pennsylvania; from there he served his first tour of duty in war torn Vietnam; on to Alamogordo (White Sands), New Mexico; he served his second tour in Germany; this was followed by his second deployment to support the war in Vietnam; upon returning to the United States he spent time in Fort Sill, Oklahoma; his final military tour was again in Germany for a third term. He was a Supply Sergeant in the Logistics field. His service medals include two Army Commendation Medals for the unwavering wartime service he gave during his two tours in Vietnam.
After retiring from the military he traveled between Tennessee, Florida, and Oklahoma where he held a variety of jobs learning many talents and skills along the way. He was able to spend his life loving God, serving our country, and blessing the lives of all he came into contact with. He is greatly missed by all who has ever known him.
The family expresses gratitude for the professionalism, love, and compassion by the staff at the Hope Hospice Care Center, 1201 Wings Way, Lehigh Acres, FL 33936. They ensured that in his frail state his dignity was maintained at all times.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33907, 239-936-0555. Ben’s services will include a private service with family, close friends, his church family, and neighbors. This will be followed by military honors. If you were invited by the family to attend Ben's services but can not be in attendance personally, these ceremonies will be live-streamed by the internet by accessing the following link. This link will open approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the funeral:-
https://www.econdolence.com/9v82lelx
Viewneral ID: 940 9196 3913
Password: 900330
Online condolences may be offered at: www.fortmyersmemorial.com.
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