July 9, 1944 ~ August 25, 2018
John Gust Bolaris passed away with his wife by his side on Saturday, August 25, 2018.
He was born on July 9, 1944, in Murray, Utah to Gust and Mary Bolaris. He was the only son of five children with two older sisters and two younger sisters. He grew up in West Jordan, Utah and attended Bingham High School graduating in 1962. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and earned a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Pepperdine University. He joined the Army Reserves in 1964 and served in the Army National Guard in Utah and California.
He began his long history of public service, working as a Probation Officer for the Los Angeles County Probation Department starting in 1971 until he retired after 32 years in 2003. He spent his entire career working with youths. His number one passion was mentoring and serving at-risk youths and finding them safe, loving homes.
He was married to his soulmate, Frances, for 37 years and they had a long, adventurous life together. John was a passionate man who enjoyed traveling, fishing, playing tennis and classic cars. His youthful spirit and sense of adventure brought them all over the world. He spent months abroad in places like Thailand, China, Greece, Australia, and Mexico. John went on regular four-wheeling excursions across the western states with family and friends and put thousands of miles on his RV with his wife and their faithful dogs Bear and Sampson.
John’s legacy is his five children and eight grandchildren who made him extremely proud. They are shining examples of the man he was, and his spirit will live on through them.
He was preceded in death by his father Gust Bolaris; his mother, Mary Bolaris Adondakis; and his sister Kathy Bolaris Anastsopoulous.
He is survived by his wife Frances; his children Mike and Nina, Jeff and Jackie, Christine and Rebecca, Nicole and Eric, and Angela; his grandchildren John, Amelia, Sage, Azlyn, Izabella, Kai, Kindrick, and Jackson; and his sisters Irene (Joe) Polidori, Virginia Carlton, and Sophie (Bud) Carlson; as well as a huge Greek family full of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at Walton’s Chapel of the Valley, 1281 N. Roop St. in Carson City, Nevada on Saturday, September 8, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. with a Celebration of John’s Life at the Carson Valley Inn in Minden, Nevada at 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in John’s name to your favorite children’s charity or the American Cancer Society.
