Michael J. Boldridge, Sr.

Michael John "Mike" Boldridge Sr., 84, lovingly known as "Leatherman," of Leavenworth, Kansas, passed away on May 2, 2026, at Amberwell Hospital. Born December 12, 1941, in Atchison, Kansas, he was the son of Walter Boldridge Sr. and Grace R. Beadles Boldridge. He attended Sumner Grade School and Effingham High School, beginning a life marked by curiosity, craftsmanship, and deep devotion to family.

On February 11, 1962, Mike married the love of his life, Carolyn Virginia Burnett. Their 57-year marriage was a testament to partnership, faith, and unwavering commitment. Together they raised four children: Michael (Teresa) Boldridge of Atchison, KS; Delice (Keith) Starks of Leavenworth, KS; William (Claudine) Boldridge of Lawrence, KS; and Daniel (Maria) Boldridge of Pasadena, CA. Their home was filled with love, laughter, and the values of hard work and spirituality, shaped by their involvement in Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atchison and Independent Baptist Church in Leavenworth.

Mike was a man of extraordinary talent and creativity. He restored old cars-including a roadster built with his great-grandson Dorian-and crafted countless wooden treasures such as stagecoaches, wagons, picnic tables, and anything Carolyn envisioned. His greatest passion, however, was leatherwork. Saddles, jackets, belts, holsters, vests—if it could be made from leather, Mike could design and make it. Every room in the house became his workshop, and the sign "Leatherman is in" was hardly needed; the trail of leather scraps and thread made it clear.

He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, mushroom hunting, and walking in the woods simply to enjoy nature. His joy for life extended to time spent with his sisters— riding horses as the "Boldridge Riders," participating in Juneteenth and local parades, trail rides, and later bonding over remote-controlled trucks. Mike met no strangers; his grin, his laughter, his love of Gunsmoke and Westerns, and his ever-present stash of snacks made him unforgettable to everyone he met.

Mike is survived by his children, his sisters Yvonne Bennett of Topeka, KS; Rita Kelley of Atchison, KS; Barb (John) Oliver of Atchison, KS; and Rozetta (Bill) Thornton of Atchison, KS; his Aunt Esther Jones of Topeka, KS; sister-in-law Sara Jane Bird of Florida; and brother-in-law Terry Burnett of Texas.

He leaves behind the grandchildren who were the light of his life: Stephen Gray, Candace (Mitchell) Hughes, Tony Starks, Brittany Boldridge, Olivia Boldridge, Liam Boldridge, Jennifer Boldridge, Kelsea, and Tanner, along with many others in the community who lovingly called him "Grandpa." His great-grandchildren-Dorian Gray, Aniyah Lynn, Mia Rose, and Mitchell Hughes, Jaylen Boldridge, Daniel Boldridge, Kole Gray, and Ziggy Aaron Bagley, Jaiten, Zavion, Zayden-and his great-great-granddaughter, Elodie Marie Gray, brought him immeasurable joy. He also cherished his many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mike's life was enriched by special family and friends who held a unique place in his heart: Rev. Tony (Francine) Carter, Nate (Bertha) Burnett, Victor (Faye) Ferguson, Al Monroe, Larry Buchanan, Lonnie Dudley, Marlon "Buzzy" (Nelly) Ferguson, and countless others whose names are too many to mention but whose presence meant the world to him.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carolyn; his parents, Walter and Grace; his siblings, Delorse (Norman) Todd, Juanita Zishka, and Walter Jr. (Leola) Boldridge; and two nieces, Nina Todd and Linda Cowan.

A man of faith, craftsmanship, humor, and heart, Michael John Boldridge Sr. leaves behind a legacy woven from family, creativity, and loving kindness. His hands shaped wood and leather, but his spirit shaped the lives of all who knew him.

A Homegoing Service will be on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with Rev. Tony Carter providing words of comfort and a livestream is available to watch if you are unable to attend and can be found under the obituary text here on the website. Family and friends are invited to share a time of visitation prior to the service beginning at 12:00 noon at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest at Mt. Vernon Cemetery.