GEORGE DAVID BOLDEN
George David Bolden, 67, of Mexia, passed away on May 17, 2021, at the Waco Rehab Center. Visitation will be held at Jones Funeral Services on Sunday, May 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 24, at 10 a.m. at Glad Tidings Church in Mexia. A graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 24, at Cresson Cemetery in Cresson.
David was born on April 15, 1954, in Cleburne, the oldest child of George and Hazel Bolden. Before he was born, it was prophesied that he would stand in the pulpit, and this prophecy was fulfilled. He and his wife, Pat, began in children’s ministry and for a period travelled full-time doing children’s crusades, where he had a puppet named Les and performed magic tricks. He pastored his first church in Franklin, for four years, which he called his “Bible School Days.” There he was known as the “Coon Hunting preacher.” David and Pat began pastoring at Glad Tidings in Mexia in 1984 and remained there for 36 years. During this time, they ran Sonshine Daycare together, and he was known to all of the kids as “Big David.” David’s sermons were memorable, especially the illustrated ones. For a time, he led a Royal Rangers group and brought boys camping - some for the first time. The dream of a food bank was accomplished with the John 3:16 Food Bank, which he poured his heart and soul into. David was a loving son, brother, husband, dad and Papa. He was extremely proud of his grandkids and enjoyed taking them fishing and hunting and on trips when he could. He also enjoyed the outdoors, taking care of his bluebonnet patch and peach trees, and was an avid bird-watcher. David’s life was devoted to helping others, leading people to Christ, and serving in any way he could. He will be greatly missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia, his father, George Bolden, and grandsons Benjamin Taylor Mobley and Jesse Lynn Mobley.
Among survivors are his mother, Hazel Bolden, of Bayou Gauche, La., children Dana and Richard Skinner of Troy, Ala., Paula and Martin Mobley of Hubbard, and David and Gina Bolden of China Spring, nine grandchildren: Breanna Bolden, Seth and Makinsey Bolden, Trentin and Morgan Bolden, William Mobley, Angela Mobley, Jonathan Mobley, Michael Mobley, Joshua Skinner and Hannah Skinner; and six great-grandchildren: Emmarie, Brantley, Branson, Kellie, Kailyn, and Kohen. Also left behind are his brother, Tommy Bolden, his sister, Sharon Dufrene, and many nieces and nephews.
