James D. Bolding

James Jim Doyle Bolding, II November 3, 1949 July 31, 2011
Jim Bolding, 61, of Stillwater, Oklahoma passed away July 31, 2011. He was the son of Doyle and Donna Bolding, the brother of Jeff Bolding, the husband of Denise Marie Hatfield Bolding, and the father of Taylor age 27 and Tatum age 25. He is preceded in death by his mother Donna and his wife Denise. Born in Tulsa, his family moved to Oklahoma City where he graduated from US Grant High School in 1968. As an up and coming track and field athlete, Jim was invited to attend and compete for Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. As a Cowboy, he won two NCAA championships in the 400 meter and 440 yard hurdles setting OSU records in the 440 yard hurdles. Jim was named Oklahoma States Athlete of the Year in 1972, was a two-time All American and the Big 8 Athlete of the Year. Following college, Jim moved to Long Beach, California to run for the Pacific Coast Running Club and compete internationally. In 1974, he set the world record in the 440 yard hurdles, a record which remains unbroken. Jim was the first athlete to be recognized as the Male Athlete of Year by the US Olympic Committee in 1974. While training for the olympics in Oregon, Jim would meet his future wife Denise Hatfield from Eugene, Oregon. Competing in Europe gave rise to Jims second greatest passion in life - traveling. When his career as an athlete ended, he and Denise returned to Stillwater to start their family. Jim combined his love for the OSU Cowboys with his passion for travel and opened a travel business. Athletic success aside, Jim is best remembered as a loyal friend, loving father, coach and mentor, and one of the nicest and most humble guys you would ever meet. His love for life and for people was reflected in his youthful sense of humor which was always present. He treated everyone with the same level of interest, concern and care. Most of his friends would assume they had a closer relationship with him than the next. That was Jims special gift. The family wants to thank Jims many friends and care givers for their love and support. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Countryside Baptist Church in Stillwater, OK. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation. You can make a donation online at www.kanziuscancerresearch.org or by mail at 130 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16501.