Kendall "Kenny" U. Boling

Kendall Utah Boling was born May 27, 1960 in Muskogee, Oklahoma to Utah Fulton Boling and Betty Irene (Blevins) Boling. He died Saturday, December 2, 2023 at his home in Muskogee with his wife and family in attendance. Kenny was baptized in the Baptist faith and practiced it throughout his life. Kenny passed away following an eighteen-year diagnosis of congestive heart failure. He remained positive and hopeful throughout the last three months in the hospital. He was happy to be home. Kenny loved music. He learned to play the guitar on a garage sale find. He soon learned to play trombone at school and performed in the Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and Muskogee High School’s marching band. He dabbled with the trumpet and percussion, but he excelled on the piano, on which he was self-taught. He was known for adding his own special flair to his performances. He shared a love of music by often performing at church playing keyboard, guitar, and singing. Kenny was humble about his musical gift, but anyone who heard him knew he had a special talent. He graduated from MHS, a proud member of the class of 1978. He remained friends with many schoolmates throughout his life. He attended Northeastern State University and became a member of Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity. He said he had enough credits to earn a degree, just not enough in one particular field. He called himself a master in many subjects. Kenny counted paper boy, tuxedo fitter, and jailer among his employment positions. Most of his work life was spent in local grocery stores including Best-Yet, Ken’s IGA, Johnson’s Foods, and McBride’s. His duties usually involved produce, though he also worked as a stocker, clerk, and assistant manager. He left the grocery business in 2001 and became his own boss as an independent distributor for Cain’s Coffee. In 2004 he changed that to independent distributor for Mission until he was forced to retire that same year due to his health. His work ethic was fierce. He had repeat customers whenever he worked and was recognized by all by his big goofy smile. Lifelong friends were made wherever he was employed. Kenny and Suzy (Crittenden) Boling married in 1993. They had two children together, Carly Grace and Cassidy Faith, whom they adored. They remained in touch throughout their lives. Kendall married Harlene Raye (Hall) Boling, “Gee”, on September 4, 2015 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. After they eloped, they honeymooned in New Orleans and returned home to create a blended family, adding her children, Krysti and Christopher. Kenny and Gee had eight years together traveling and experiencing adventures with their family. He loved being a Pa-Pa Kenny to the grandbabies. Cooking for his family and friends was another joy in his life. If you were eating something Kenny had prepared, you knew it had been chopped, seasoned, and served with perfection. Kenny was a devoted pet daddy and shared much joy, love, and laughter in their companionship. Other interests included genealogy, both OU and OSU football, and all things Batman. What he loved most of all was making people laugh. Close friends say his one-liners were unforgettable, though not printable. He shared his gift of humor with us until the end of his life. He was preceded in death by father, Utah Fulton Boling; mother, Betty Irene (Blevins) Caughern; brother, Benjamin Harve Boling; and stepfather, Patrick Lee Gore. Kenny is survived by his loving wife, Harlene “Gee” Boling, of the home; daughters, Carly Grace Boling of Tulsa, Cassidy Faith Boling, Krysti Statler and husband Russell, all of Fort Gibson; son, Christopher Brown and companion Hallie Harber of Tulsa; sister, Andrea Pitman and husband Ron of Muskogee; brother, Jory Boling and wife Noriko Boling-Iwabe of Kisarazu, Japan; grandchildren, Flynn Statler, Sawyer Statler, Eleanor Statler, and Alice Harber; aunt, Lillian (Blevins) Pace of Pryor; nieces, Gabrielle Holinsworth, Allison Pitman, Maya lwabe, Jinna lwabe; nephew, Kai lwabe; stepfather, Charles Caughern; along with numerous cousins, other family members, friends, and classmates. The family requests memorial can be made to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX, 75231 or online at www.heart.org. or the American Red Cross, PO Box 37839, Boone, IA, 50037-0839 or online at www.redcross.org. A memorial service celebrating Kenny’s life will be at 11AM, Friday, December 8, 2023 at Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Bobby Morgan officiating.

Kendall "Kenny" U. Boling

May 27, 1960 - December 2, 2023