Judge Dexter Bolin, 74, passed away January 28 at Providence Health Center. Dexter was born in West Terre Haute to Dexter L. Bolin, Sr. and Edith Louise Moss Bolin. He lived his early years with his grandparents Arthur and Hilda Moss, until his father returned from World War II. Dexter always credited his grandfather, Pop, as the greatest influence on his life. Dexter was a proud graduate of Concannon High School. He attended Indiana State University and received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education. His first career started as a teacher at Shakamak High School in Jasonville where he taught social studies. After four years there, he accepted a teaching position at Plainfield High School where he met his future wife Donna Jo Stone. Bolin's second career began when he attended Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis and graduated with honors and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence. He and Donna moved back to Terre Haute and he began private practice. Later Dexter and the late Stephen Trueblood enjoyed practicing together until he became a judge. Bolin's third career was directed to public service. He got his first taste of politics when he, at 19, went door to door as a precinct committee candidate in West Terre Haute and still lost by a very few votes. After law school he served as Public Defender, Probate Commissioner, Master Commissioner of probate and preliminary criminal matters, Judge pro tem in city court, Judge, Vigo County Court Division 5, Judge, Vigo County Circuit Court. After his retirement he enjoyed serving as Senior Judge for ten years for Vigo and surrounding counties. Judge Bolin was a member of the following organizations: Board of Directors of Big Brother/Big Sisters, Terre Haute Bar Association, Indiana Bar Association, ISU Alumni Association, Vigo County Historical Association, National Trust for Historical Preservation, Cancer Society, Vigo County Democrat Club, Kiwanis Club of Terre Haute, NAACP, and The American Civil Liberties Union. Judge Bolin's many awards included Indiana Supreme Court Education Award, Domestic Violence Service Award presented by CODA of Vigo County, Truman Club honoree, and the Francis Vigo Distinguished Citizen Award. Away from the courtroom, Dexter loved walking through the neighborhood 4 miles at a clip. His main pastime, however, was reading. He was a walking library and could speak on many subjects in great detail and expertise. Dexter was known in a crowd not only by his 6'4" stature but his robust belly-bursting laugh. He loved to talk politics and play the devil's advocate. He loved people and really enjoyed his judgeship. It was a way to help people make their lives better. Dexter is survived by his wife of 47 years, Donna Jo Stone Bolin, son, Benjamin Dexter (Kim) and their little ones, Gavin Dexter and Shelby Irene of Huber Heights, Ohio, son, Matthew Arthur of Terre Haute, brothers, James Arthur (Beverly) of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Michael Wayne (Kristy) of West Terre Haute, Errol of Terre Haute, and sister, Sue Ann Edwards of Terre Haute, and several nieces and nephews. Judge Bolin was preceded in death by brother Jim's son (Jimmy) in 2010. Services will be Monday, February 16, 2015 at Memorial United Methodist Church, 2701 Poplar Street, Terre Haute. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Celebration of Life Service at 1:00 p.m. Reception and personal remembrances to follow. Burial of ashes will be later in Dunlap Cemetery in Marshall, Ill. The family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to National Glaucoma Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, P.O. Box 1962, Clarksburg, MD 20871-1962, Lighthouse Mission, P.O. Box 9266, Terre Haute, IN 47808-9266, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 S. 25th Street. Funeral information is also available at www.callahanandhughes.com.
