Howard Eli Bollinger

Howard Eli Bollinger, a cherished resident of Lenoir, NC, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the age of 89. Born on December 16, 1936, in Caldwell County, NC, Howard was the beloved son of the late Columbus Bollinger and Esther Townsend Bollinger.

A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Howard served his country with honor, a commitment to duty that marked his character throughout his life. He pursued higher education at North Carolina State University where he graduated with a degree in Agricultural Engineering, participating actively as a member of the Farmhouse Fraternity.

Howard embarked on a fulfilling career, dedicating 16 years as Chief Engineer at Broyhill Furniture. His passion for innovation and design led him to establish BOLDesign, Inc., where he continued to contribute to the field of engineering with his visionary projects.

Family was the cornerstone of Howard’s life. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of more than 60 years, Tommy Gail Prestwood Bollinger, and his brothers, Clay Bollinger and Floyd Bollinger. His loving memory is carried on by his daughter, Tanya Bollinger Hart and her husband, John; his son, Brett Bollinger and his wife, Olivia. Howard was a proud grandfather to Allison Stevens; Brooke Bollinger; Haley Franks and her husband, Kevin; Emily Bollinger; Gabriel Bollinger; Jonathan Teague; and four great-granddaughters. He is also survived by his sister, Janet Bollinger Linney, and numerous other family members who cherished him deeply.

A celebration of Howard’s well-lived life will be held at Lower Creek Baptist Church on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Friends and family are invited to gather from 10:00 to 11:00 AM prior to the service to share memories and pay their respects. Following the service, interment will take place at Blue Ridge Memorial Park, where military honors will be provided by the United States Marines and the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard.