Obituary of Jon R.W. Boulton

Jon Roger William Boulton of Coralville, IA died Thursday, February 25th at home. His wife is the former Penny Helen Boulton. They were married in Charles City, IA 7 weeks after their first date. Born in Columbus City, IA, son of the late Verne and Ester Boulton, he was a graduate of Iowa City High School, studied at and competed on the gymnastics team at the University of Iowa. He also received a Masters in Education from Northern Illinois University. A former teacher in Springfield, OH and the Glenbard School District 87 (teacher at Glenbard East and North; coach at Glenbard East, South and North) he taught history and physical education and was the Athletic Director at Glenbard North High School for 15 years, before retiring in 1995. A showman and acrobat Jon, with a variety of close friends and teammates, embarked on multiple adventures. While at the University of Iowa he participated in the Dolphin Show doing various high diving routines. As a member of the “Flying Yachtsmen” he spent several years doing a trampoline act at boat shows across the USA sponsored by the Alcoa Aluminum Company. In another incarnation of a similar act Jon and his best friend were the halftime show at Harlem Globetrotters Games for several years. Coaching and judging gymnastics were Jon’s passions. His boys teams at Glenbard East, South and North produced individual successes, but it was his girls teams at North that won back to back IHSA State Championships in 1982 and 1983. What defined him was his ability and desire to collaborate with other like minded coaches across the gymnastics world. This was highlighted by his being part of the group of coaches that started the National High School All-Around Invitational featuring the top High School Gymnasts from across the country in an exhibition meet in Illinois. Its participants were a who’s who of USA Olympic Team members and champions. Jon was also passionate about, and active in Democratic politics at the local, state, and national level. In Illinois he acted as a Democratic Precinct Committeeman in Milton Township and in Michigan he held multiple positions with the Leelanau County Democrats. Survived by two sons, Jerome D. Boulton, San Pablo, CA; Daniel J. Boulton, Columus, OH; four grandchildren, Sean, Alex, Parker and Knox Boulton. The family requests donations to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. You can make the biggest impact on patients and families by making a monetary donation to the University of Iowa Center for Advancement. Donate online or call 1-800-648-6973 and select UI Hospitals & Clinics Caring Fund or UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital Fund.