Obituaries
Steve Coleman Bolick
( October 30, 1939 - January 10,2025 )
On Friday, January 10, our loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather Steve Bolick passed away peacefully with his beloved Karen (whom he lovingly called Butch) right beside him. He was 85.
Steve was born in Maiden, North Carolina on October 30, 1939, to Kermit and Bernice Bolick. He grew up on his parents’ farm on East Maiden Road and he proudly attended Balls Creek School and graduated from Bandys High School. On September 17, 1960, he married his sweetheart of three years, Karen Sherrill. Steve told Karen he needed a “basketball team” but after four children, Karen said that was it. He and Karen had a wonderful marriage of 64 years, ending only with his passing. Steve was a natural salesman, working in commercial and residential construction sales and ending his career as co-owner of and salesman for Carolina Door Specialties in Charlotte.
Steve enjoyed being an athlete for most of his life, beginning with athletics at his beloved Bandys High School, where he attained all-state honors in basketball. He also played football and baseball there. He was a productive member of the Cherry-Linc Legion baseball team. He was scouted by both the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs baseball organizations and ended up choosing the Cubs. He played in the Minor Leagues for the Cubs organization for around three years. He greatly enjoyed this experience, but homesickness brought him back to be with his family. Back home, he continued his great love of sports working with youth sports, helping to establish the East Lincoln Optimist organization.
Steve was also bitten by the golf bug and fervently played for many years. His home course was Westport Golf Course, and his name appeared on many trophies from winning contests there. He also enjoyed competing in the North Carolina Senior PGA. In addition to trophies, more importantly he gained many lifelong wonderful friends from his favorite game of golf. He was inducted into the Lincoln County Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
Of all the achievements in his life, Steve was most proud of his family. In addition to his four children, he also had nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, with one more great-grandchild due in February. He adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they loved him just as much. Visits from them were the light of his life.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his brother Caleb “Baldy” Bolick and sister Peggy Carroll. He leaves behind his wife Karen Sherrill Bolick, son Rusty (Marie) Bolick, daughters Leigh Ann (Steve) Oaks and Sandy (Cole) Sigmon, son Kermit (Debbie) Bolick, grandchildren Nikki (Lance) Vivion, Matt (Alicia) Oaks, Laney (Adam) Okolicany, Aubrey Sigmon, Avery (Parker) Bryant, Ashton Sigmon, Zoe Bolick, Killian Bolick, Vivie Bolick, great-grandchildren Caroline Vivion, Catherine Vivion, William Vivion, Bella Oaks, Matthew Oaks, George Okolicany, sister Joy (Cotton) Sigmon, sisters-in-law Rita Bolick, Brenda (Fran) Brantley, Diane (Gwyn) Hollar and many beloved nieces and nephews.
The family will host visitation at the Webbs Chapel Methodist Church Family Life Center in Denver, North Carolina from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM on Tuesday, January 14 with a Celebration of Life service following at 4:00 PM.
Steve was born in Maiden, North Carolina on October 30, 1939, to Kermit and Bernice Bolick. He grew up on his parents’ farm on East Maiden Road and he proudly attended Balls Creek School and graduated from Bandys High School. On September 17, 1960, he married his sweetheart of three years, Karen Sherrill. Steve told Karen he needed a “basketball team” but after four children, Karen said that was it. He and Karen had a wonderful marriage of 64 years, ending only with his passing. Steve was a natural salesman, working in commercial and residential construction sales and ending his career as co-owner of and salesman for Carolina Door Specialties in Charlotte.
Steve enjoyed being an athlete for most of his life, beginning with athletics at his beloved Bandys High School, where he attained all-state honors in basketball. He also played football and baseball there. He was a productive member of the Cherry-Linc Legion baseball team. He was scouted by both the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs baseball organizations and ended up choosing the Cubs. He played in the Minor Leagues for the Cubs organization for around three years. He greatly enjoyed this experience, but homesickness brought him back to be with his family. Back home, he continued his great love of sports working with youth sports, helping to establish the East Lincoln Optimist organization.
Steve was also bitten by the golf bug and fervently played for many years. His home course was Westport Golf Course, and his name appeared on many trophies from winning contests there. He also enjoyed competing in the North Carolina Senior PGA. In addition to trophies, more importantly he gained many lifelong wonderful friends from his favorite game of golf. He was inducted into the Lincoln County Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
Of all the achievements in his life, Steve was most proud of his family. In addition to his four children, he also had nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, with one more great-grandchild due in February. He adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they loved him just as much. Visits from them were the light of his life.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his brother Caleb “Baldy” Bolick and sister Peggy Carroll. He leaves behind his wife Karen Sherrill Bolick, son Rusty (Marie) Bolick, daughters Leigh Ann (Steve) Oaks and Sandy (Cole) Sigmon, son Kermit (Debbie) Bolick, grandchildren Nikki (Lance) Vivion, Matt (Alicia) Oaks, Laney (Adam) Okolicany, Aubrey Sigmon, Avery (Parker) Bryant, Ashton Sigmon, Zoe Bolick, Killian Bolick, Vivie Bolick, great-grandchildren Caroline Vivion, Catherine Vivion, William Vivion, Bella Oaks, Matthew Oaks, George Okolicany, sister Joy (Cotton) Sigmon, sisters-in-law Rita Bolick, Brenda (Fran) Brantley, Diane (Gwyn) Hollar and many beloved nieces and nephews.
The family will host visitation at the Webbs Chapel Methodist Church Family Life Center in Denver, North Carolina from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM on Tuesday, January 14 with a Celebration of Life service following at 4:00 PM.
Memorials may be made to Webbs Chapel Methodist Church, 4640 Webbs Chapel Church Road, Denver, NC 28037
Posted on 12 Jan 2025
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125 Dave Warlick Drive
Lincolnton, NC 28092
704/735-2521