Linda Jean Boone
July 4, 1945 — May 28, 2024
Linda J. Boone passed away quietly on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at the Eureka Nursing Center after a prolonged illness.
Linda was born July 4, 1945, in Wichita, Kansas to Roscoe and Neva (Lindamood) Boone. Linda was the oldest of four children in the Boone family and was the quintessential big sister to brothers Ron, Richard, and Doug. Linda attended public schools in Wichita and graduated from Kansas University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She later obtained a Master of Arts degree from the University of Colorado. At KU, Linda was a proud member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, and many of her sorority sisters were lifelong friends.
Linda’s life was one of achievement and excelling at whatever endeavor she applied her considerable talents, charm, and unstoppable determination to. She taught in Colorado, Arizona, and Chicago, Illinois before shifting her focus to urban development and business.
Linda was involved in planning and construction of low-income housing in Kentucky, working with the Green River Area Development District, the Kentucky Housing Corporation, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Linda’s exceptional drive and entrepreneurial talents led her to become owner and president of Great American Homes, a mobile home retail sales business; General Partner of Treehaven subdivision, a 200 unit family housing development; General Manager of Rhinestones Music Palace, a 20,000 sq. ft. entertainment facility; owner of Boone Development, a construction business; manager of field operations in southern California for the U.S. Census Bureau; Executive Director of Orange Housing Development Corporation; and Director of Economic Development for the City of Orange.
Linda received many honors over the course of her impressive career. She was designated Kentucky Colonel by Governor Julian Carroll for her contributions in the area of housing to the State of Kentucky; awarded a Special Merit Award from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for work in affordable housing in Orange County, California; honored with a Clara Barton Spectrum Award for Outstanding Women in Orange County; and received a Ruby Slipper Award from the Building Industry Association of Orange County.
To her friends and family she was always there as a generous source of strength, love, support, and good humor. Linda gave great advice, told wonderful stories, and was as witty as she was wise. She was beautiful, had impeccable style, and was an avid reader, an avid tennis player, and an animal lover who could adeptly ride a horse or her Harley.
She is survived by two brothers, Ronald Boone of Toronto, Kansas; and Douglas Boone of Parker, Colorado; her life partner, James Craig of Lexington, Kentucky; and dear friend and caregiver, Sharon Tuttle of Neal, Kansas. Linda was preceded in death by her father, Roscoe Boone; mother, Neva Boone; and her brother, Richard Boone. Linda is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews who were the joy of her life and who she tirelessly supported, loved, and doted on. To them, Aunt Linda was simply the most special, and the coolest, person on the planet.
The family plans to have a private memorial service to celebrate Linda’s life on July 4th. Cremation has been effected. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery, Eureka. Condolences may be left for the family online, at koupfunerals.com.
Linda was born July 4, 1945, in Wichita, Kansas to Roscoe and Neva (Lindamood) Boone. Linda was the oldest of four children in the Boone family and was the quintessential big sister to brothers Ron, Richard, and Doug. Linda attended public schools in Wichita and graduated from Kansas University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She later obtained a Master of Arts degree from the University of Colorado. At KU, Linda was a proud member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, and many of her sorority sisters were lifelong friends.
Linda’s life was one of achievement and excelling at whatever endeavor she applied her considerable talents, charm, and unstoppable determination to. She taught in Colorado, Arizona, and Chicago, Illinois before shifting her focus to urban development and business.
Linda was involved in planning and construction of low-income housing in Kentucky, working with the Green River Area Development District, the Kentucky Housing Corporation, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Linda’s exceptional drive and entrepreneurial talents led her to become owner and president of Great American Homes, a mobile home retail sales business; General Partner of Treehaven subdivision, a 200 unit family housing development; General Manager of Rhinestones Music Palace, a 20,000 sq. ft. entertainment facility; owner of Boone Development, a construction business; manager of field operations in southern California for the U.S. Census Bureau; Executive Director of Orange Housing Development Corporation; and Director of Economic Development for the City of Orange.
Linda received many honors over the course of her impressive career. She was designated Kentucky Colonel by Governor Julian Carroll for her contributions in the area of housing to the State of Kentucky; awarded a Special Merit Award from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for work in affordable housing in Orange County, California; honored with a Clara Barton Spectrum Award for Outstanding Women in Orange County; and received a Ruby Slipper Award from the Building Industry Association of Orange County.
To her friends and family she was always there as a generous source of strength, love, support, and good humor. Linda gave great advice, told wonderful stories, and was as witty as she was wise. She was beautiful, had impeccable style, and was an avid reader, an avid tennis player, and an animal lover who could adeptly ride a horse or her Harley.
She is survived by two brothers, Ronald Boone of Toronto, Kansas; and Douglas Boone of Parker, Colorado; her life partner, James Craig of Lexington, Kentucky; and dear friend and caregiver, Sharon Tuttle of Neal, Kansas. Linda was preceded in death by her father, Roscoe Boone; mother, Neva Boone; and her brother, Richard Boone. Linda is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews who were the joy of her life and who she tirelessly supported, loved, and doted on. To them, Aunt Linda was simply the most special, and the coolest, person on the planet.
The family plans to have a private memorial service to celebrate Linda’s life on July 4th. Cremation has been effected. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery, Eureka. Condolences may be left for the family online, at koupfunerals.com.
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