John Lawrence Bolland, 77, of Ashton, passed away January 24, 2015, in Tucson, Arizona of natural causes. He was born October 3, 1937, in Squirrel, Idaho to Henry and Frieda Bolland at the family home.

He graduated from Ashton High School in 1956, and attended one year of college at Concordia College in Portland, Oregon.

He worked for the Coast-to-Coast store in Ashton for several years. He also worked for the Forest Service, the Union Pacific Railroad, and helped build many roads in the Ashton area.

He served in the National Guard and was a staff sergeant.

He moved to California, where he was employed by Handyman Hardware Stores. He attended training in property management and became manager of the historic U.S. Grant Hotel in San Diego. When the hotel was closed for remodeling, he became manager for Pacific Vu Apartments, overseeing several large apartment complexes in San Diego.

He retired from property management when he was disabled with back injuries. He bought a motor home and spent many years moving from the North in the summer to the South in the winter.

John loved cars, and was so proud of his little red Triumph sports car and his yellow Datsun Z. He was also fond of birdwatching, water skiing, camping, reading and playing the piano.

John loved to visit with people and make them smile, telling jokes and stories. On his travels he always made new friends. He was warm, open and generous with everyone. His nieces and nephews saw him as the cool uncle from the city where he had an high-rise apartment with a rooftop garden. He loved giving them rides in his little sports cars. He taught them important things too, like acceptance and understanding of all people.

John loved the Lord Jesus, and was a life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church.

He is survived by a sister, Rosemarie (Thomas) Jacobsen of Ashton, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Henry and Frieda Bolland; a sister Dorothy Bolland; and four brothers, Herb, Paul, Henry "Bud", and Bill.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2015, at Zion Lutheran Church in Ashton. The family will visit with friends Saturday morning from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Inurnment will be in the Squirrel Cemetery with military rites by the American Legion and Idaho Honor Guard.