OMAHA, Neb. — C. Mack Bolyard, Omaha, Neb., died Friday, May 28, 2021, at CHI Bergen Health Hospital, Omaha, Neb. He was 71.
He was born May 4, 1950, in Emporia, to Oliver “Pete” and Hazel (Johnson) Bolyard. He grew up in Osage City and enjoyed hunting and fishing, and playing basketball, baseball and football. He attended first and second grade at 94 Country School, third through eighth grades at Osage City Elementary School, and graduated from Osage City High School in 1968. Following high school, Mack spent a year and a half at Dodge City Community College before transferring to Kansas State University, where he graduated in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and Industry.
Mack married Susan M. Davies June 15, 1974, at the Lebo United Methodist Church, and to this union two children were born, Ashley Adele and Luke Andrew. The Bolyards made their home in Omaha, Neb., in 1991, and have lived there since.
Mack worked many years for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in food safety and inspection. He and Susan have been active members of Faith Westwood United Methodist Church. His favorite color was red, and he enjoyed country music, although his favorite song was “I Can Only Imagine.” He loved all kinds of foods, especially breakfast, and he was right at home sipping iced tea and watching Hallmark movies with Susan.
He was a hardworking family man who enjoyed being social; he never met a stranger. He was known as a professional storyteller, and he was a talented dog trainer/whisperer. He cherished his family and loved cheering for all of her granddaughters’ sports teams. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and spent countless time netting the fish Susan caught. Mack was also an amateur photographer, a pigeon fancier, and enjoyed woodworking and antiquing. He was always visiting or helping the neighbors in some way, and he loved sharing his fruits and vegetables with friends and neighbors. He will be remembered most for his appreciation of life and his generosity to others.
Mack was preceded in death by his father, Oliver “Pete” Bolyard; his mother and stepfather, Hazel and Albert Hendrickson; and his brother-in-law, Robert Phillips.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Susan M. Bolyard; his daughter, Ashley Sloane (Doug), Lynden, Wash.; his son, Luke (Kari) Bolyard, Adams, Neb.; his granddaughters, Amanda and Megan Sloane and Kinley and Elsie Bolyard; his sister, Joan Phillips-Fowler (Harry); and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 8, at Faith Westwood United Methodist Church, Omaha, Neb., with inurnment at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Elkhorn, Neb.
Memorial contributions may be made to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and sent in care of Reichmuth Funeral Home, P.O. Box 67, Elkhorn, NE 68022.
