James R Boles

James Roy Boles, better known as "Hap", died January 10 in Wichita Falls, TX, following a long and debilitating illness. Services will be at 2:00 pm Monday, January 16, at Carnegie First Baptist Church where he was a lifelong member.

Hap, born in Borger Tx on January 2, 1941, moved to Carnegie with his parents, Silas (Si) and Rebecca Greer Boles, his brother Randall and his sister Greer. Hap enrolled at Carnegie High School for his junior year and graduated with his class. He was soon very popular with his classmates because he was a "car guy" whose mechanical knowledge and driving expertise were immediately respected. His was the fastest car in many country mile unofficial races which he usually won. His choice of reading materials were his Bible and Car and Driver" magazine, both always found beside his favorite chair.

As a teenager he joined custom combine harvest crews where his knowledge of quick repair skills were highly valued. Hap worked for Russell Swarts in his auto repair shop in Carnegie, eventually purchasing the business and establishing a loyal customer base that included our Aunt Helen, who often felt the need to take her car to Hap's shop and have him (in her words) "lay his hands on the hood and cure whatever was wrong." Hap's services were in demand especially during wheat harvest and haying seasons. He could diagnose mechanical problems and then do the repairs, knowing that "healthy" machinery was essential for successful farm work. When not in his shop, Hap could be found at the local coffee stop discussing issues of the town (and world) with his friends.

Hap married the love of his life, Mary Lynn Van Eaton, and they lived in Carnegie where their son, James Kent (Jimmy) was born and raised. Hap and Mary were regular in attendance at First Baptist, and they also were a part of the city Rescue Squad when needed. Hap drove the city van every weekday, delivering his elderly riders to the noon senior citizen meal. He understood his riders very well and usually knew to awaken any of them when they overslept so they wouldn't miss the meal, or when they needed help at home, which he sometimes did if possible, or when they needed to see a doctor or pastor or a family member. This was his special ministry which was one of the reasons he received the Carnegie B. W. Jolly Honorary Citizen Award in 2010.

Hap and Mary could often be found in their camper at Fort Cobb Lake where they taught generations of kids to water ski and fish. In the heat of Oklahoma summers they took the camper to Lake City, CO, to join relatives as they enjoyed family times and special vacation treats. Hap was always available to his relatives when they experienced car trouble, and he was given the special nickname "Uncle Help" by one of his very young nieces when her Mom's car stopped unexpectedly going home after visiting in Carnegie. Uncle Help was also present for moving days, when relatives needed special assistance, or when a little kid needed the attention of a grownup. He was inventive with his presents, supplying Jimmy with an unusual first toy, a spark plug, which everyone thought was creative and delightful.

When one of his nephews was looking for a first car purchase, Hap offered one of the used cars that had been abandoned at the shop. The car needed work before it could be road-worthy, so the nephew came to Carnegie, stayed with his grandmother Irene, and "helped" Hap do the repairs. The nephew was amazed when Hap opened the hood of the car and threw a couple of the parts into his junk pile, saying "we really don't need this" to make the car run.

A special time in Hap's life was the marriage of his son Jimmy to Jennifer; their children Austin, Caitlyn, Logan and Quentin, were Hap's much-loved grandchildren. After Mary's death, Hap found comfort in his church family, his friends in Carnegie, and members of his extended family. He remained the family expert when one of them was purchasing a new car.

Survivors include his son Jimmy, daughter-in-law Jennifer, grandchildren, his brother Randy's children, his sister Greer Raschetta of Kenner LA, his aunt Martha Tasson of Edmond, and his relatives from the Ratliff and Van Eaton families. All of his friends and relatives are secure in the knowledge that Hap is now with Mary and those loved ones who preceded him to heaven.