MONTROSE — Jack Junior Bohall was born April 7, 1922 in McPherson, Kan., the oldest of five children born to Ezra and Dorothy (Russ) Bohall. He died of natural causes at his home in Montrose, Colo., surrounded by family, on May 5, 2009 at the age of 87.
Jack spent his early years in rural southwestern Kansas where he learned the work ethic he carried through his entire life along with how to fish, hunt and generally have fun.
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With the unexpected death of his father, Jack assumed the role of man of the house at age 12. He spent many long days working to help the family make ends meet.
During the high school years he met ,courted and in 1941, married the love of his life, Thelma Easterday. This marriage lasted nearly 68 years and was filled with love, laughter, great times and partnership in all things great and small that ended at her death in 2008. To this union was born four children, Sharen, Gary, Lance and Troy. They also accepted into their home as family niece Carma Easterday Freeman.
Events of the world touched western Kansas, where many of its young men were called off to war. After graduation from Meade High School, Jack joined the Air Force and was eventually stationed in southern Italy where his crew were some of the few who completed the number of required missions to complete the tour duty.
Although Jack seldom talked about his experience as the nose gunner in the lead bomber group, where they flew 43 missions over some of the most dangerous places in Western Europe, he was very proud of the accomplishments of his squadron and crew.
Back home in Hutchinson after the war, Jack and Thelma accepted the request from Thelma’s folks to come back to run the family farm in Englewood, Kan. So, in 1946, they moved to the family homestead west of Englewood, Kan. where they raised registered Hereford cattle and small grains.
Jack and Thelma visited some close friends in Montrose and soon thereafter, in 1962, made the move to western Colorado where Jack sold cars and later real estate. Jack branched out into various entrepreneurial ventures including motel ownership and real estate development until a move to Arizona was decided on in 1982.
After a stay in Sun City West, Ariz., Jack and Thelma eventually returned to Montrose where he resided until his death.
Those who were close to Jack knew of his strong faith, his love of family and his enjoyment of friends and of life. His hobbies included golf, economics and politics. His passion was music, playing it, singing it as well as listening and dancing to it.
Jack is preceded in death by his wife Thelma; parents, Ezra Bohall and Dorothy Hereford; his brothers, Dean and Dan, and sister Jean.
He will be sorely missed by the family he loved so dearly; Sharen Walker and husband Jerry of Westminster; Gary Bohall and wife Danna of Colorado Springs; Lance Bohall and wife Patti of Wray, Colo.; Troy Bohall and wife Kara of Lufkin, Texas; Carma Freeman of Mission, Kan.; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Jim Bohall and wife Maelene of Houston; brother-in-law, Jack Wolfe of Littlefield, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Jane Bohall of Grand Junction; sister-in-law, Jean Easterday of Meade, Kan.; and a large extended family and numerous friends.
A visitation for family and friends will be held at Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors on Friday, May 8, from 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Montrose Christian Church on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 10 a.m. The service will conclude at the church and interment with full military honors will be held on Monday, May 11, at 10 a.m. in Meade, Kan.
Memorials in memory of Jack can be made to Good News Jail and Ministry, or the Gideons.
Visit our website, sign the online register and send condolences to Jack’s family at www.sunsetmesafuneraldirectors.com.
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