Thomas Loy Bolick
1935-2012
Life and Legacy of Thomas Loy Bolick
Thomas Loy Bolick was born on March 10, 1935, in Hickory, North Carolina. He was the third of four children born to Loy Edward Bolick (1900–1954) and Clara Lena Belle Lael (1901–1981). Raised in a hardworking, blue-collar household, Tom’s father worked as a Grader Operator for the North Carolina State Highway Department.
Tom grew up in the Lutheran church. While in the 11th grade a new family moved to town. They attended the local church of Christ. Their daughter was in Tom's school class, and as he was quite attracted to her, he soon began visiting her home. The girl had a grandmother who lived with the family, who began bringing up religious differences between churches. Talking of things like taking the Lord's Supper each first day of the week, instrumental music, and even baptism, soon frustrated him so much that, as he said, he went home dusted off his Bible and began searching the Scriptures. As he further related, he soon quit going to see the girl and began going to see the grandmother. It was the grandmother who related her faith that led the young junior in high school to be baptized into Christ during a gospel meeting by William E. Wallace. The reaction of his family was not good. Soon finding himself without a home, he was invited to live with the local preacher's family. Continuing his education, he graduated from St. Stephens High School in 1953.
In the fall of that year, he determined to go to David Lipscomb College in Nashville, Tennessee. With no support from his family, the question was how? As with all things, the Lord provides. A good Christian lady by the name of Grandma Johnson, a strong supporter of David Lipscomb, committed to help him financially, and soon he was in classes as a freshman. He loved his experience at school. Among the many new friendships he made, one was fellow student and later celebrated entertainer, Pat Boone.
After his first year, he returned home for the summer. Attending a youth gathering with a congregation in Statesville, a neighboring town about 30 miles to the east, Tom drew a lot of attention as an older teen who had attended a Christian college. One of his buddies was interested in one of the girls in the church there and they were trying to figure out a way to date each other. So, the girl asked her friend, Dorothy Gay Lanier, if she would agree to go with the boy's friend so they could double date.
This introduction led to love and a relationship that would last a lifetime. On December 24, 1955, Tom and Gay married in Statesville. For the first couple of years they worked to establish their home in North Carolina. However, they felt the need to return to Nashville in 1957 to work toward finishing his degree.
A Life of Ministry and Service
David Lipscomb College was a sphere of great support for education, not only in the classroom, but many people were in place to support students, especially preaching students. In addition to Grandma Johnson, another great supporter was R. W. Comer, a successful entrepreneur, who committed thousands of dollars to Christian education. He owned a clothing factory in Nashville, the Washington Manufacturing Co. While Tom was in school, Gay was hired as a typist in the Complaints Department of the company. She remembered that there was a Mr. Shacklett, who had a desk in their department, and his main job was to provide funds for young preachers who were starting out.
Tom and Gay initially attended the Bordeaux church of Christ, where A. T. Pate was the minister. Before long, Tom was invited to serve as the assistant minister. His responsibilities included publishing the weekly church bulletin and preaching in Brother Pate’s absence. Later, Tom was hired by the Pleasant View church of Christ—located between Nashville and Clarksville—to serve as their minister. He remained there until after his graduation.
Gifted with a rich, resonant voice and a heart eager for knowledge and service, Tom dedicated his education to honing his talents. He majored in Speech and minored in Bible. His speech training came under the instruction of Ira L. North, the renowned minister at the Madison church of Christ, then the world’s largest congregation. For Bible studies, he was privileged to learn from distinguished professors such as Dr. Batsell Barrett Baxter, Mack Wayne Craig, and Harvey Floyd.
After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960, Tom and Gay committed themselves to ministry work in the Carolinas. To make this move, they required financial support from established congregations. The Charlotte Avenue church of Christ agreed to support their mission work in Chester, South Carolina. Shortly after settling there, their first child, Jill Annette, was born on May 21, 1961.
Mission work often comes with both minor victories and significant challenges. It demands a persistent trust in the Lord, recognizing that results may not always be immediately visible. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” Gay remembered one such moment during their time in Chester. Tom had spent many evenings studying the Bible with local families using the Jule Miller filmstrips. One couple he had taught eventually told him they no longer wished to continue. It was a heartbreaking moment. Yet, years later, after Tom’s passing in 2012, Gay received a letter from that same woman. She revealed that they had later obeyed the gospel and began worshipping according to the New Testament order. She further shared that several years later, her husband had become an elder at the Rock Hill Church of Christ—an unexpected outcome that revealed the enduring power of God’s work.
In 1964, the church in Shelby, North Carolina, needed a preacher. Also, a mission effort, the family determined to move there. It became necessary to get other support. Churches from North Alabama, the Killen church, and ironically, the North Carolina congregation, came to their aid. That same year, their second child, Mark Thomas, was born, on August 26th. The Shelby congregation became the Bolick family’s spiritual home for the next thirty years until Tom retired in 1994.
A Voice that Carried the Gospel
Throughout his ministry, Tom utilized his vocal talents in a variety of ways. He hosted a 15-minute daily radio broadcast during his four years in Chester, followed by a 25-year tenure on the airwaves in Shelby. His deep baritone voice captivated listeners, while his warm personality naturally drew people into his sphere of influence.
One of Tom’s most significant achievements was recording the Scriptures. In 1968, he undertook the ambitious project of recording the New Testament for mass distribution. Professionally produced by the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), the result was a 20-LP record set titled The Gospel Recorded. Promotional materials highlighted his skill: “Narrated by Rev. Tom Bolick, a master of the English language and the Bible. His voice is pleasing to listen to and every word is exactly as it is written in the King James Version of the New Testament.” The set went for $39.90 upon release, but today is posted on this page below for your listening pleasure. Click on any book to listen.
Later Years and Fond Remembrances
In 2007, Tom and Gay moved to Concord, North Carolina, where they became members of the Kannapolis church of Christ. Unfortunately, declining health took its toll on Tom, leading to his passing on February 10, 2012, at the age of 76. His body was cremated. Another servant of the Saviour is now at home awaiting the day when heaven will become our permanent home.
A Personal Reflection
Some of my earliest memories include Tom and Gay Bolick, cherished friends of our family since their days at Lipscomb. Tom and my father, Richard T. Harp, shared a close bond — studying together, taking classes side by side, and graduating together. Gay and my mom, Dixie, were very dear friends. Many Friday nights were spent at the Harps, as they had a television, where they watched the latest episodes of Rawhide, Gunsmoke and the Ed Sullivan Show. After college, our families remained connected. The Harps moved to Lancaster, South Carolina, while the Bolicks served less than forty miles away in Chester. Both locations were part of church mission efforts, and frequent visits between our families deepened our friendship, which has lasted for over sixty years.
One vivid memory stands out from my childhood. On November 23, 1963, my father and Tom had traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, to record a Bible-based television program. Meanwhile, my mother and Gay were driving through Lancaster with us children in the back seat. Suddenly, Gay pulled the car to the side of the road. Both women were in tears. Confused, we children soon found ourselves crying too, sharing in the emotion though we did not yet understand the cause. When asked, mom responded, "They've killed our President," referring to the tragic murder of President John F. Kennedy, as had just been reported on the radio. A sad day on many levels. To this day, my mom is still very close to Gay Bolick. I greatly appreciate her great assistance in producing this webpage.
-Scott Harp, 05.13.2025
Some Thoughts From An Old Friend
We never know what the future holds for us, nor do we foresee the Christian relationships we are building day by day that will last the rest of our lives. Preachers especially are blessed with enduring memories of friendships that become more precious as the years go by. Such has been the case between Richard Harp and Tom Bolick. Though our individual work for the Lord brought separation for most of our lives, the memories I have when we were close will remain precious for life. I met Tom in my freshman year at David Lipscomb College. We became close friends immediately and remained so until our graduation and beyond. Tom spoke often of his home state of North Carolina and of his plans to return to the Carolinas to preach after graduation. He also encouraged me to consider the Carolinas in my choice of where to go after graduation. As it turned out, the Bolicks went to Chester, SC, and the Harps went to Lancaster, thirty miles away. We visited and encouraged each other regularly over the next few years until we went in different directions in the work of the kingdom. Tom was always a man of the Book. He loved preaching and only the Lord knows the souls he helped to go to heaven. It has been a blessing for Richard and Dixie Harp to have known him, and we cherish the long distance friendship we continue having with Gay.
-Richard T. Harp, 05.15.2025
In The News
Hickory Daily Record, Hickory, N. C.
July 27, 1959, p.3
Hickory Daily Record, Hickory, N. C.
Monday, May 16, 1960, p.4
The Herald, Rock Hill, S. C.
Saturday, March 31, 1962, p.7
The Gaffney Ledger, Gaffney, S. C.
Friday, October 22, 1976, p.10
The News and Observer, Raleigh, N. C.
Sunday, October 20, 1968, p.8
The Herald, Rock Hill, S. C.
Saturday, December 14, 1974, p.2
The Gospel Recorded
by Tom Bolick
Matthew 2:07:30 (h:m:s)
Mark 1:38:26
Luke 2:48:28
John 2:12:35
Acts 2:45:53
Romans 0:38:47 (chapters 2-8 missing)
1 Corinthians 1:06:23
2 Corinthians 0:44:05
Galatians 0:22:03
Ephesians 0:22:10
Philippians 0:15:42
Colossians 0:14:50
1 Thessalonians 0:13:34
2 Thessalonians 0:07:38
1 Timothy 0:18:29
2 Timothy 0:14:08
Titus 0:07:40
Philemon 0:03:28
Hebrews 0:53:39
James 0:17:39
1 Peter 0:19:22
2 Peter 0:12:17
1 John 0:19:58
2 John 0:02:27
3 John 0:02:30
Jude 0:05:12
Revelation 1:24:19
Obituary
The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, North Carolina
February, 12, 2012, p.B6
Webpage produced: 05.13.2025
Courtesy Of Scott Harp
www.TheRestorationMovement.com
Special Recognition: Many thanks to Gay Lanier Bolick for helping in the production of this page. Several things about her life with Tom were shared, to make this page a success.