- The late Carl Bolton is honored as the oldest active farmer during the ‘A Claiborne County Christmas’ Lighted Tractor Parade. – facebook photo
The late Carl Hobert Bolton lived his entire 94 years within a quarter mile of his birthplace located in the Little Sycamore community of Claiborne County. His death in January prompted the county government to proclaim the naming of the first bridge on Little Sycamore Road in his honor.
The previously unnamed carriage will now be known as the Carl Bolton Memorial Bridge.
Bolton dedicated a significant portion of his life to county service, retiring after 32 years as Vice President of the Production Credit Association (PCA) only to spend several years in association with the Wilson Cattle Company.
His long list of services includes some 60 years on the Board of Directors of the Claiborne County Farm Bureau and his years as president of the Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce. He too was involved for several years with the Gideons.
He was recognized in 2007 as Tennessee’s Farmer of the Year and was recently honored as the county’s oldest active farmer for three consecutive years during ‘A Claiborne County Christmas’ Lighted Tractor Parade.
Bolton distinguished herself during her years at Claiborne High School as part of the graduating class of 1946, devoting her extracurricular time to the school’s Flying Club, and as a member of the cheerleading squad.
The Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce, which spearheaded the annual ‘A Claiborne County Christmas’ event, issued a statement following his passing.
“Tonight we mourn the loss of a true Claiborne County icon. He was such a kind man with a wealth of knowledge. We were honored to have such an amazing man to be a part of our celebration of our agricultural heritage each year.
“When we first called him and told him that we wanted to honor him and all the active 90+ farmers in the county at the tractor parade, he was very humble. He agreed to do it and he blessed all of us involved.”
Claiborne Commissioner Zach Mullins, who sponsored the bridge’s name in Bolton’s honor, issued a statement following his passing.
“The community of Springdale and Little Sycamore has lost a great man and a pillar in our community. It was a great pleasure meeting Carl Bolton.”