Obituary of MSGT Andrew Leonard Bolen, USAF,

MSGT Andrew "Andy" Bolen, United States Air Force, (Ret.), 83 took his final flight to God October 4, 2021. Andy was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico October 10, 1937, to Leonard and Otilia Bolen who preceded him in death. He grew up in San Angelo, Texas, one of six children. In 1954 he enlisted in the Air Force. While stationed at Lowrey AFB in Denver, he met and married Betty (Walker) Bolen. Andy was next stationed at Walker AFB in New Mexico where they had three children: Carolyn, Steve, and Becky. Andy was next stationed at Larson AFB in Washington where he was turret gunner on B52 aircraft. The story he told was in the middle of the night he got a call that he and his crew were to go on a mission. He looked in on his sleeping children, kissed his wife and left, not knowing if he would make it home alive. By the time he got to the base, the mission was cancelled. He decided he would like to see his kids grow up and was honorably discharged. As a civilian, his fourth child, Felicia was born in Denver, Colorado. Andy joked that it seemed Betty would get pregnant if they sat too close on the sofa. It wasn't long before he missed the Air Force, but he had too many dependents to reenlist, so they moved to Texas. An oil rig accident left him unable to do that work and they returned to Colorado where Andy worked as a photo engraver. In 1985 he joined the Air Force Reserves; hooked the pop-up trailer to his truck and headed to McCord AFB, Washington for training. When he got there, he told them the previous night he was lucky and found a campground all to himself. Turns out he was luckier than he realized because he had spent the night at Mount St. Helen's before it blew.After Loadmaster training, Andy was stationed at Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs with the 302nd Airlift wing. It was obvious he loved the Air Force: the flying, traveling and comradery with the crew that became his "other" family. It was not work to him, it was a passion, he never turned down a trip, another chance to fly. During his time at Peterson AFB he served in operation Desert Shield/Storm, earned the Rank of Master Sergeant as well as the title "Load Daddy" and was awarded the AF Achievement medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness medal with one oak leaf cluster, AF good conduct medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Reserves meritorious service medal with two oak leaf clusters , National Defense service medal , AF Longevity Service award ribbon with three oak leaf clusters, southwest ASIS service meal and AF Training Ribbon. He retired from the Air Force in 1997 and moved to Garcia, Colorado with wife, Betty. Garcia, Colorado is a small rural town at the Colorado/New Mexico border. They enjoyed the slower pace, and time spent making memories with children and grandchildren in the one-hundred-year-old Adobe home on five acres of land. Tragically, in 2013 the old Adobe caught fire. Son, Steve and dogs, Max and Buddy perished. Andy and Betty remained on the property until Betty's sudden death in 2016.Andy was moved to Colorado Springs in 2018 for health reasons but he was still able to bring joy to everyone who met him. His caretakers called him an adorable, funny man (and a flirt) who charmed his way into their hearts. Always the life of the party, his passing leaves a void in so many lives. His silly, made-up songs, jokes about Elvis Presley being his cousin, and constantly pranking his grandchildren will be missed.Andy is survived by his three daughters, Carolyn Bolen of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Becky (Bill) Hoffmann of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Felicia (Dave) Olsen of Littleton, Colorado; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two siblings; and numerous nieces and nephews.Interment, 11:30AM Friday, November 5, 2021, Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 West Kenyon Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80236. Events Interment Friday, November 5, 2021 11:30AM Fort Logan National Cemetery 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard Denver, CO 80235 Phone: 303-761-0117