Dean was born on January 20th, 1943 to Oscar Cornelius Bolin and Nellie Mae (Smith) Bolin in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. On May 29th, 1967, he married the love of his life, Mildred (Holmes) Bolin and went on to have three children: Melinda, Dale and Priscilla Bolin.
Dean grew up in Evening Shade, around the Vian area, where he was traditionally raised and a member of the Redbird Smith Ceremonial Grounds. He proudly served in the US Army and was a hardworking man throughout his life. Dean was a great outdoorsman, a true sports fanatic and a real people person. He loved being outside whether it was fishing, hunting, tending the garden, taking care of his lawn or just sitting on the porch. His greatest passion in life was fishing, and he loved a good catfish fry. He enjoyed listening to country music, watching old westerns and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a treasured Cherokee speaker of the community and will be missed by all.
Dean is preceded in death by his parents, his twin brother: Don Bolin, his younger brother: Johnny Bolin and older sister: Naomi Gourd.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mildred Bolin; his two daughters, Melinda Bolin and Priscilla Bolin; his only son, Dale Bolin and wife Laverna Bolin; his grandchildren, Starla Bolin and significant other Shawn Davis, Rudy Bolin and Ryan Bolin; his great grandchildren, Kaisen Dean Kirk, Odell Bolin, Silas Davis, Serenity Davis, Kandice, Elaina and Lakya; his brothers and sisters, David Bolin, Donald Ray and wife Jean Bolin, Ella “Tech” Bolin, Mary Pritchett, Martha Jones and Jennie Kay Bolin; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones to cherish his memory.
A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 from 1:00pm until 5:00pm at Reed-Culver Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Dean will be held on Thursday, June 27th, 2024 at 1:00pm at Reed-Culver Chapel with Reverend Bill Pettit officiating. He will be laid to rest at Barber Cemetery in Welling, Oklahoma.
Pallbearers for Dean will be Everett Bolin, Ricky Jones, Steven Jones, James Gourd, Chris Harris and Leroy Grayson. Honorary pallbearers include Edward Bolin, Gilbert Bolin, Cody Pritchett, Ronnie Bolin, Anthony Pritchett, Dennis Gourd, Kenneth Gourd, Tony Stayathome, Rudy Bolin, Ryan Bolin, Kaisen Dean Kirk, Odell Bolin, Christopher Stayathome and Silas Davis.
