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John R. 'Dick' Boyd Vienna, VA QCWA # 14250 Chapter 91 |
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John R. Boyd Sr, 86, passed away January 25, 2018, after a 12-year battle with Alzheimer's. His family was by his side.
John was born at home on Monmouth Street in Winchester on June 18, 1931, to John Albert Boyd and Mary Ellen Copenhaver Boyd. He attended the John Kerr and Handley schools. John graduated Handley High in 1949, and helped build James Wood High.
John joined the Air Force in 1951; a year later, he met and married the love of his life, Jackie Moon of St. Louis. The newlyweds were separated when John left to serve in Korea. Upon his return, John completed his military service and began a distinguished 30-year civilian career with the US government in Washington, DC. Upon retirement, he was awarded the prestigious Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award. In 1983, John returned with Jackie to the Shenandoah Valley.
John served God his whole life, most recently as an elder at Winchester's Opequon Presbyterian Church, where, as head of the building committee, he supervised construction of Opequon's beautiful new sanctuary.
Even with these accomplishments, John's family would say that his best work was as a husband and father. He was a PTA president, Little League coach, dinner-table discussion leader, and fixer of every broken thing. He was a great man.
John leaves behind his beloved wife of 65 years, Jackie; his children John R. Boyd, Jr (Tracy), Janet Simmons (Kyle), and JoAnn Spivey (Ken); grandchildren Eddie Saville (Stephanie), Jeb Boyd (Chelsea), Elizabeth Lorenz (Chris), Kyle Rodgers, David Rodgers (Ann), Stephen Spivey, and Summer Simmons; great-grandchildren Olivia, Deacon and Marryn Boyd, Tyler Saville and Grant Lorenz; and sister-in-law Pat Fleming and family. John was preceded in death by his sister, Ann Boyd Mealey Walker.
John was an ardent Redskins fan, a top-notch amateur (ham) radio operator, and an active member of the Masons in Vienna and Purcellville.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, February 6 at Opequon Presbyterian Church at 11 am (visitation one hour prior), with Rev. David Witt and Rev. Ken Spivey officiating. The family would like to express special thanks to Orchard Woods Memory Care for their incredibly loving, capable care.
In lieu of flowers, please honor John by donating to the Orchard Ridge Benevolent Fund (TVOR, 400 Clocktower Ridge Dr, Winc VA 22603); Opequon Presbyterian Church (217 Opequon Church Lane, Winc VA 22602), or go to the Alzheimer's Assn website for memorial donations