Daniel N. Boles

May 10, 1920—May 3, 2010

A beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Daniel was born in Coldwater, Kansas on May 10, 1920 to Ivy Nations Boles and Walter Edwin Boles, one of seven children. Although his parents intended to name him Daniel Neil, the physician completing his birth certificate only put a middle initial of “N” which he first learned upon entering the military. He spent most of his childhood in Wilmore, Kansas, where he attended Wilmore High School and graduated in 1938.

Thereafter, Dan attended Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, where he received his Bachelor’s of Science in Math and Physics in 1942. More importantly, he met and fell in love with Mary Ruth McNeil in college and they wed on February 6, 1943, in Quantico, VA before he was deployed with the Marine Corps overseas in World War II. Daniel served in the Pacific arena from 1943 to 1945, operating an anti-aircraft gun emplacement, and led his company into Okinawa as well as other islands. After the war, Daniel continued in the reserves and achieved the rank of Major. Upon discharge from active duty, Dan settled in Southern California where Mary Ruth had been living and working during his absence.

With an entrepreneurial spirit and a love of desserts, Dan and Mary Ruth opened an ice cream shop in El Monte, California, which they operated for five and 1/2 years. Their customers included then California State Senator, Richard Nixon. Their oldest son, Dane McNeil Boles was born in July 1948 and spent his initial years in the front window of the ice cream shop. After this adventure, Dan and Mary Ruth managed a paint store for two years and then Dan spent one year at Aerojet, an aerospace company, as a mathematics specialist. Dan and Mary Ruth then went into the real estate business where Dan was an agent and broker for more than 40 years, eventually owning Boles Realty in West Covina, CA. He specialized in residential real estate and sold hundreds of families their “dream” homes. Sons Drue Win came along in March 1959 and Darin Jim was born in January 1962.

Dan was active in his community; he served as President of the Covina Valley Board of Realtors, chaired the realty ethics committee and participated in the 20-30 club, a service organization where he also served as President. He was a member of the Elks and American Legion. Dan coached baseball and supported all of his children in their sports pursuits--attending and cheering at track meets and football, baseball and basketball games. He served as his sons’ chaperones for dances and proms; both he and Mary Ruth were “surrogate parents” to many of their sons’ friends. Dan was also active in the Wilmore Alumni club and emceed their reunions including the 100th Anniversary of the town of Wilmore. Dan and Mary Ruth hosted several Southwestern College reunions in Southern California as well. He had many friends including Harry Snyder, the founder of In-N-Out, with whom he played poker.

After retiring, Dan took his frequent storytelling to a new level by becoming an author. He has written three books: The Snow Birds and other stories (1994); Alfie, a leg up (1995); and The Chandelier (1997). He and Mary Ruth moved to Seal Beach in 2001 where Dan served as the Kansas Club President at Leisure World.

Dan is survived by his extraordinarily devoted wife of 67 years, Mary Ruth; son Dane and his wife, Jenny, grandson Steven, granddaughter Beth Leone and her husband, Michael; son Drue and his wife, Camille, granddaughter Ashlee Ray, her husband, Tim, and great grandson Israel, grandson Ian and his wife, Jessica; son Darin and his wife, Sharon; brother, Paul; and many extended family members including honorary grandchildren, Jessica and Jacob. Friends and family will always remember his great wit, wonderful smile, and incredible blue eyes.

“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

W. W. Campbell

Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary (562) 425-6401