Charles Nathan Bolton

He was born in Irvington, Alabama on October 14th 1937 and was the middle child of three, born to the late Constance and Henry Edgar Bolton. He grew up in Theodore, Alabama, just west of Mobile, and was educated in the Theodore school system where his mother, Constance, and his aunt, Anita Edwards, were teachers. Charlie’s father was a Federal Pest Control Agent and a farmer. Growing up with a farmer as a father meant pre-dawn work on Saturdays to help take vegetables to the farmers market in Mobile. As a reward, Charlie and his brother Eddie were treated to Saturday afternoon western movies.

After graduating from Theadore High School with 33 other classmates, Charlie studied Chemical Engineering at Auburn University, where he was an Air Force ROTC. The Air Force sent him to graduate school at Texas A&M to study Meteorology, in preparation for his active military service at Andrews Airforce base. While Andrews was a prestigious posting, he said whenever JFK came in on Air Force One, higher ranking officers seemed to always appear and ask him to step aside so they could provide the “needed” support for the POTUS.

One Air Force assignment that turned out truly rewarding was being a Military Escort for the Cherry Blossom Festival Royal Court, where he met Sandy Anderson, who he married two years later. Charlie’s relationship with space began shortly after his honorable discharge from the Air Force when he joined NASA to work on satellites, work that took him to Alaska, Vandenberg AFB in Lompoc, CA and various cities in Europe (Paris being one of his favorites).

Charlie left NASA to join Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) and continued his work with satellites, as well as solar energy, Titan Rockets, Peacekeeper Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) and Midgetman SICBMs. His work took him to Germany, France and Spain, as well as cities across the United States. One of his final job postings with Martin was in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he enjoyed some of the best powder skiing in the world. Skiing was a major part of Charlie’s life, which was impressive for a boy from “the mud flats of Alabama” as he would say. When he retired at the early age of 55, he and Sandy skied at every ski area in the state of Colorado.

Charlie continued his love of travel, visiting Mexico, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Bangkok, Bali and Singapore (where his son, Andy, did an expatriate assignment). Additionally, he pursued his passion for sailing with friends in the Greek Isles and British Virgin Islands, and various parts of North America.

For the last 25 years, Charlie spent his days in Fraser, CO (just outside of Winter Park), enjoying small-town mountain life, which of course included skiing. His daughter, Leslie, had a second home in Winter Park, so he was able to ski with her and his grandchildren for many winters. Charlie also volunteered at the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, helping those who were disabled to experience and enjoy something he loved dearly.

He was loved by all, a true southern gentleman, who formed fast and lasting friendships and was known as “Good Time Charlie” by those closest to him. He is survived by his children, Leslie Harrington, Andy (Michele) Bolton; his ex-wife, Sandy Bolton; his brother, Eddie (Phyllis) Bolton; his sister, Anne (Jim) Mitchell; seven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He will be dearly missed but lives on within our hearts.

A viewing, funeral service and reception for Charles will be held Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary, 6601 S Colorado Blvd, Centennial, CO 80121. Viewing will be from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, the funeral service will be from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM and then the reception will take place from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. A committal service will follow at 2:15 PM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W Kenyon Ave, Denver, CO 80236. Upon arrival at Fort Logan National Cemetery, please meet at staging area C.

In lieu of flowers, donation can be made to the National Sports Center for the Disabled.