James H. Bolin, 84, of Macon, MO, passed away at the Macon Health Care Center in Macon on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
James Harold “Jim” Bolin was born on November 20, 1941 in St. Joseph MO to parents Harold and Marie Bolin. He graduated Central High School in 1959 where he served as student body president. He graduated Baylor University in 1963 with a degree in Political Science. It was at Baylor University that he met his future wife – Marjorie Ann Johnston. They married on February 16, 1963 in Waco Texas. He attended University of Missouri School of Law from 1963-1965. He and Marge moved to Macon MO in 1965 and he worked as an insurance salesman and personnel manager with Banquet Foods. He worked as sports editor and reporter at the Macon Chronicle Herald from 1981-1987. He owned and operated a weekly shopper – The Macon County Advertiser.
He started as a part time and volunteer preacher in 1978 and served until his time of retirement in 2020. He performed countless services at parishes in College Mound, High Hill, and Roanoke. He counseled hundreds of people and families as a hospice chaplain and had a gift for comforting families at funerals. He especially enjoyed the people he worked with at Hospice Compassus and the family appreciates the care provided to him recently by Compassus and Macon Health Care.
He was a proud member of Macon Booster Club and often served as an officer. He enjoyed working in the concession popcorn stands at many Macon High School sporting events.
He is preceded in death by his wife Marge Bolin, parents Harold and Marie Bolin, sister Patricia (Patty) Roach, and brother Bob Bolin.
He is survived by his children - daughter Kathy Kephart of Columbia MO, son Tom Bolin of Kansas City, and daughter Janice Bolin and husband Scott Austin of Kansas City; grandchildren Dalton Kephart, Regina Bolin, Jackson Austin and Jordan Austin.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Hutton & McElwain Funeral Home in Macon, with Pastor Karen Shearer. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Macon. Visitation will be from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the College Mound Presbyterian Church.
