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Saturday Service (Jan. 11) Set For Former Fort Worth Mayor Bob Bolen

January 8,2014

Bob Bolen Star Telegram Archives

Reposted from the Star-Telegram
Photo: Star-Telegram Archives

BY ANNA M. TINSLEY
atinsley@star-telegram.com

FORT WORTH — A memorial service has been scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday for former Mayor Bob Bolen, Fort Worth’s longest-serving mayor.

The service will be at First Presbyterian Church, 1000 Penn St., in downtown Fort Worth.

Visitation with the family will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Greenwood Funeral Home, 3100 White Settlement Road.

Bolen, 87, died early Monday at his Fort Worth home.

Bolen, a toy and card business owner, first ran for public office in 1979 to represent City Council District 6. In February 1982, he won a special election for mayor, a job he held until he walked away from it in 1991.

During his tenure, a variety of major local initiatives — Alliance Airport, the American Airlines maintenance facility, a redevelopment of downtown and the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing plant — became reality.

After leaving City Hall, saying he wanted to slow down, Bolen tirelessly served on many advisory boards and committees and became a senior adviser to the chancellor at TCU.

He remained a presence around City Hall, offering suggestions and encouragement to elected officials and the city staff.

“His leadership and dedication to improving the Metroplex will forever serve as an example to all of us who strive to make a difference through public service,” said U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth. “Mr. Bolen has truly left a mark on the city of Fort Worth.

“It is my hope that we continue to be inspired by his passion and his belief in a brighter future.”

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the North Central Texas Academy at Happy Hill Farm, 3846 N. Texas 144, Granbury, TX 76048, or online at www.happyhillfarm.org. Or memorials may be made to the TCU Bob Bolen Leadership Scholars Program at TCU, TCU Box 297045, Fort Worth, TX 76129, or online at www.makeagift.tcu.edu.

Survivors include his wife, Fran Bolen; a daughter, Terrie Manning; two sons, Randy Bolen and Ron Bolen; a foster son, Don Cosby; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Anna M. Tinsley, 817-390-7610 Twitter: @annatinsley

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