John Bolden, 79, passed away on the afternoon of April 7, 2026 at the Sedro-Woolley home he shared with his beloved wife, Cheryl, for the past 49 years.

John was born on June 4, 1946, in Los Angeles, CA, to his loving parents, John and Julia Bolden (Lillquist). The family moved to Washington, where he had a happy childhood in Burlington and graduated from Burlington-Edison High School in 1964. He served in the Army National Guard, spent many years working as a Purchasing Agent at Skagit Corporation in Sedro-Woolley, and retired in 2012 from Golden Harvest in Burlington.

To know John was to know his love of classic cars, a passion that began at a very early age. His first project was a Model A Ford that he restored when he was just 14 alongside his father, who once owned an auto body shop in Conway. John's interest in cars veered onto the racetrack for a time, where he competed in modified sprint car races at Skagit Speedway in the 1960s.

His love of automobiles also led him to become one of the founders of the Skagit Old Car Club, which started in 1972 and is still going strong today. What began as a simple gathering of friends, restoring cars from a bygone era, and cruising the beautiful scenery of Skagit Valley turned into a decades-long journey of unforgettable experiences, lifelong relationships, and cherished family memories for so many. John served for several years as SOCC President, Vice President, and on the Board of Directors. He was also a member of the Antique Automobile Restorers Club of Bellingham and the North Cascade Street Rod Association.

John found joy in days spent camping with his family on Whidbey Island, attending car shows near and far, and enjoying time in nature, with walks along the Fort Casey bluff at sunset being a favorite way to "recharge his batteries."

Like the antique cars in his collection, they just don't make 'em like John Bolden anymore. He was a uniquely thoughtful and compassionate person, with an eye for detail and an appreciation for what made things special. He had a vision for creating beauty and memorable experiences that felt both seamless and timeless. He had a wonderful sense of humor, was a great writer (if you ever received the Christmas letter, you already know), and in many ways was ahead of his time in treasuring the things that came before his time.

John valued family togetherness, being a good and loyal friend, and appreciating the little things that matter most. He will be endlessly missed by his family, friends, and all who encountered him along this winding road of life.

John is survived by his wife, Cheryl; daughters Jennifer and Carey; stepson Adam; and grandsons, Jalen and Daniel. And of course, anyone else who's reading this / is currently alive.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Hope Hill Farm, 22981 Grip Road, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284. Those with antique cars are encouraged to drive them in honor of John. No need to polish them to a mirror shine—he'll let it slide this time.