Kenneth Bruce Bolander, Sr.

Kenneth Bruce Bolander, Sr. made his grand entry into this world on May 16, 1935 in Tennyson, TX. He passed through the gates of Heaven on May 11, 2017 at the age of 81. Kenneth grew up in Miles, TX. As an only child, he was the pride and joy of his mother and father. His father, Bruce, owned and operated a blacksmith shop there until the 1940s. The family then moved to Pecos, TX., where they plied their trade during the cotton boom years. After serving two years in the army, stationed in Germany, Kenneth returned to Pecos where he met and married Bobbie Hall. Eventually settling in San Angelo, TX., Kenneth, with the guidance of his father, opened a blacksmith shop on Bell Street where it remains today. They were blessed with two children, Ken and Sherri. He has been an avid outdoorsman since he could walk. He grew up hunting all over west Texas and fishing on the Rio Grande River. For many years, he went elk hunting with his father, son, and life-long friend, Freddie Brooks. It was not uncommon for him to close the shop every fall for two weeks due to illness, "buck fever", but it was remedied by a trip to the mountains of Colorado or New Mexico. He loved to calf rope and was a saddle bronc rider in his younger days. Kenneth will always be remembered as a loyal friend who was willing to share his many hunting and fishing tales with anyone who stopped by the shop for a cup of coffee - his passion never waned! It is open season in Heaven and there is no doubt he is already doing "recon" to claim his hunting and fishing spots. Following in his father's' footsteps, Kenneth was a Master Mason in good standing for over 50 years at Masonic Lodge #570 in San Angelo. Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Lois Bolander, his wife, Bobbie Bolander, and her parents, Sid and Kate Hall. He is survived by his son, Ken and Kassie Bolander of Christoval, TX., their children Kristen and Khloe; his daughter, Sherri and Kenny Gibson of Montgomery, TX, their children Garrett and Leighton; son, Tom and Stephanie Emmerichs of Concord, CA, and their daughter, Amanda; an "adopted" daughter, Melissa Johnson of The Woodlands, TX, her daughter, Rachel; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends who shared his life every day. The family would like to extend a special thank you to St. Gabriel's Hospice and Senior Care Center of San Angelo for their compassion during his final days. Services will be held at Robert Massie Funeral Home Monday, May 15 at 10am. Interment will follow at Belvedere Cemetery. The family will receive visitors on Sunday, May 14 from 4-6pm.