Earlier in the evening, I encountered a post in my feed on FB regarding someone whom I knew ever so briefly in Denver in the 1990's. Dr. Paul Kent Bolton died on October 20, 2026, of "a long-standing illness." according to his on/off partner of 10 years.
Paul was someone whom I admired from afar at the popular gym on Colorado Blvd. in Denver in the 1990's. In the fog of time passing and age, I no longer remember how, exactly, when we met or how, but it was at the gym. He had the kind of body "that would shame Adonis". And he did have those amazing good looks, the kind that makes one stop and stare.
We did eventually chat and become friendly. Nothing more happened between us, but that isn't the point. He was that kind of handsome man whom one is thrilled to simply meet and get to know, even just a little. Much like when I met and became friends with Patrick Harlan Byrne back in college. You know you are never going to have sex with him, but he's hot and he's a nice guy.
I am not sure Paul ever really knew how spectacular he was. He never acted that way. In reading his obituary, it confirmed that he had a great singing voice and was counted a fine actor and dancer, as well as wonderful person. He remained, however, just doing community theater. More than one who knew him remembered his performance in KISS ME KATE as the lead.
He would later maintain a relationship for a few years with Larry Boroff. I knew Larry thru Dino Gagliasso, my former roommate. I suppose it's unkind to admit that I never really knew what Paul saw in Larry. Larry was a nice guy and was my accountant for a time after he broke up with Dino (a breakup that really bothered Dino and caused him eventually to lose their Capitol Hill duplex). I briefly lived with Larry and Dino when they occupied the childhood home of Larry's in Thornton, CO, after I got my first IBM contract job.
I had no idea how long the contract assignment would last, and they were happy, for a while, with the rent money I paid each month and the groceries I contributed. The house itself needed a whole lot of work, and I lived in one spare bedroom that did not even have a door. But at some point, Larry got tired of my living with them; and I had to find an apartment in Denver instead.
When I started working out at the gym on Colorado Blvd., I met Paul.
I would base a minor character in A MILE-HIGH SAGA after Paul. He was the physically attractive man whom the Greg character meets and, very briefly, dates. But that character could not accept being with someone who could read minds and their dinner date was the last of their encounters in the novel.
I did remain distant acquaintances with Paul after that. We later became friends on FB, so I would get some of his posts over the years. He clearly did not live long enough to see the Democrats win the midterm elections this November. Paul may have been born and raised a Christian in Wichita, KS; but he was thoroughly liberal in his politics.
He must have married, and divorced, before he came to Denver because he is survived by three sons.
When an obit says "long-standing illness", it was either cancer or HIV. Neither of which ought to be a mystery or stigma in today's world. But I guess HIV still is.
He was one of those rare, amazingly good-looking individuals who was also warm and friendly. Larry Boroff died a few years ago, much too young. And now at 66, Paul is gone, as well. I am so reminded of those many men of my era who are gone now who never even reached the age of 70, let alone 77.
