John Carsten Bolte, Jr.

John C. Bolte, Jr. of Asheboro, NC was welcomed into the arms of his Savior and Lord, April 12, 2014. He was born in Mount Vernon, NY on April 16, 1924; son of the late John C. Bolte and Louise Kotch Bolte. He was a graduate of Roosevelt High School, Yonkers, NY. He attended Columbia University; he was his class treasurer and a member of their glee club. World War II had begun, so John being a patriotic American, chose to leave college and volunteered for the Army. After basic training he was sent to Mississippi State College and then to Georgia Tech to learn the skills for his future assignments in New Guinea and the Philippines as a signal corp. operator. After his tour of duty in the Army, he returned to this family home in Yonkers and the family movie theater business. He was president of the Bolte theaters in Bronx, NY for 20 years. He also was a member of the American stock exchange, account executive, for several years. He and his family lived in Mamaroneck, NY for about 17 years. In 1960, John purchased a second home, a farm in Windsor, NY, wanting to share his love for the country with his children. That farm, still owned by his family, is a homestead for several members and serves as a gathering place to all Boltes for various special occasions. John had a good size pond put in so his children could enjoy swimming in the summer months. That pond was also used for baptismal services by their church in Windsor. Shortly after his second marriage, he moved to Binghamton, NY, where he was employed as a buyer for Ramp Electronic firm. During that time he became a member of Full Gospel Christian Business Men's Association, serving as their treasurer. He cherished the fellowship he had with those Christian brothers. It was a time of spiritual renewal and spiritual growth for John. In 1990, John decided to take early retirement due to an existing heart condition. He and his wife chose the beautiful Carolinas for their senior years. Moving to beautiful Anderson, SC was a dream come true,-no more snow. It was while living there that John underwent open-heart surgery. After a short recovery, he wanted a foot back in the workplace and was hired by Wal-Mart as a door greeter, working there for five years. In 1999 they moved to Asheboro, NC to be close to his wife's son Cliff and his family. John worked as a door greeter in Asheboro's Wal-Mart for five more years. The Lord knew what He was doing, placing him in that little job. Only eternity will tell of all the lives he touched. John was a friend to all and extended not only his hand but his heart to everyone who came through those doors. He listened to hundreds of people who shared their troubles with him, always telling them to turn to the Lord. He was a student of the Bible and taught Sunday school for many years. He will be remembered for his beautiful tenor voice, which he used for the Lord both in and out of church. John sang in the choir at both of Billy Grahams' crusades in New York City. The first one was in Yankee Stadium in 1957 and the second one was in Madison Square Garden in 1969. It was at the first crusade that John accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior. He will also be remembered for his love of vegetable gardening. Planting, weeding, nurturing his little plants was a big part of who he was. He loved nature. He pridefully shared the fruits of his labor with friends and neighbors. We all will miss his warm smile and his kind, loving manner very much. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Jeannie Knorr Jackson Bolte of the home. His sons, J. Carsten Bolte, Windsor, NY; Dr. Mark E. Bolte , wife Susan, Columbia, SC and daughter Lynn Bolte Samaan, Rockport, MA. Grandsons, Scott E. Bolte, NC; Reese H. Bolte, SC; grand-daughter Rebeccah L. Samaan, CA.; sister Edith Bolte Kutz, Delray Beach, FL and Marjorie (Peg) Bolte Castle, Timonium, MD; nieces, nephews, and cousins; stepsons Clifford D. Jackson, wife Karen, Asheboro, NC; C. Brett Jackson, SC; stepdaughters, Stacy M. Jackson, NY; Lori Jackson Santo, PA; ten step grand-children and four step great-grandchildren. It was John's desire that his family and friends celebrate the beginning of his eternal life rather than the passing of his earthly body. The mother of John's three children is Virginia Sykes Bolte Castle of Windsor, NY. In lieu of flowers, a suggested memorial to John would be to his favorite charity; Samaritans' Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000.