Jack Eugene Bolt

1940 - 2026

Jack Eugene Bolt

January 5, 1940 - February 19, 2026

Jack Eugene Bolt, 86, died peacefully on Thursday, February 19, 2026, while in hospice after a short illness. Jack was born on January 5, 1940, in a house in Bedford, Va., the son of James "Kyle" and Minnie "Mae" Bolt of Independence, Va.

He is survived by his two sons, Christopher and James Patrick Bolt; his four grandchildren, Jason, Conner, Laura, and Jeremy; and his three great-grandchildren, Hadassah, Alex, and Flynn. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, Danny B. Bolt.

His youngest years occurred during and just after World War II. His family moved between Baltimore, Buchanan, Troutville, and Coyner Springs. He called home the brick house across from Hollins University on Williamson Road/ Route 11.

After Jack graduated from William Byrd High School in Vinton, Virginia, in 1958, he attended Ferrum College. Seeking a change, he and his first wife, Vivian Graybill, moved to Washington, D.C., where they raised their two sons in Northern Virginia, primarily in Springfield. He served in the Army Reserves for four years, beginning in 1962, and then worked as a stenographer and clerk for Southern Pacific Railroad into the 1970s.

Jack returned to Roanoke in 1988 and worked in security at Center in the Square museum in downtown Roanoke until retiring in 2005. He always considered Roanoke his home and honored his parents as a devoted son.

Jack enjoyed playing and watching basketball and coached both of his sons in various sports. In his later years, he traveled with his sons throughout Europe. He especially loved a 2021 Mediterranean cruise to Italy and Spain, and his visit to Pompeii was the highlight of that adventure. In 2024, he traveled to Greece and Egypt. At the age of 84, without assistance, he climbed to the top of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Viewing the pyramids in person had long been on his bucket list, and he traveled to Cairo and then on to Luxor to see the ancient Egyptian temples. He loved learning about history and attended Bonsack Baptist Church.

Jack Bolt was a sweet, kind, and loving gentleman who adored his family. He was a quiet man with a sense of humor that made those around him feel comfortable.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Oakey's North Chapel, 6732 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. prior to the service. Following the service, he will be laid to rest at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens near the Roanoke Airport, just a few dozen feet from his parents. Online condolences may be made at www.Oakeys.com.

Oakey's Funeral Service - North Chapel

Roanoke, VA (540) 362-1237