LTC. James R. Boyd

February 16, 1934 – June 6, 2013

With his family by his side, James R. Boyd, 79, of Sun City Center, Florida died June 6, 2013 at his home. Born February 16, 1934 in Meadville, Pennsylvania, to Gerald W. and Gertrude Kearney Boyd, James attended high school in Ironton, Ohio, and returned for reunions.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at the age of 17 and served with the 187th Airborne under Colonel Westmoreland in Korea,1951-1952. Leaving the U.S. Air Force, he attended North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Georgia, graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate and was then commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Having married Mary Carol King in 1954, he and their young family moved from one U.S. Army training school to another until he earned his aviation wings.
Flying the fixed-wing Caribou (C-V2), he served in Viet Nam in 1963, primarily supporting Special Forces Units. As the ‘Airmobile’ concept took form, he flew the Huey helicopter during his second tour in Viet Nam with the 190th Assault Helicopter Company from 1967 - 1968, during the TET Offensive. His valor awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and numerous Air Medals with V for valor. He completed his military career at Fort Hood, Texas, retiring in 1981. James earned his master’s degree while in Texas and went to work as a Director for BDM, a military contractor, after retirement, helping test and ready the Abrams M1 Tank.
Preceded in death by his wife, James moved to the Tampa Area in 1998 and worked with the Beck Corporation. Discovering Sun City Center, he purchased his home here in 2000.
An avid golfer, James enjoyed spending time with his golf buddies, eight-somes and extended family, children and five grandchildren at Caloosa as well as his nightly workout with fellow gym enthusiasts at the SCC Community Club.
James is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Norma and Maurice Roukous of Sun City Center; his sister and brother-in-law, Gertrude and Ron Butler of El Paso, Texas; sister-in-law Dorothy Clark of Atlanta; daughter Brenda Wheeler of Sun City Center; daughter and son-in-law Debbie and Randy Hood of Richardson, Texas; son Greg Boyd; daughter and son-in-law Cathy and Dr. David Giles of Fort Worth, Texas; five grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
The viewing will be held Thursday, July 11, 2013 from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Sun City Center Funeral Home, 1851 Rickenbacker Dr., Sun City Center, Florida.
The memorial service will be held Friday, July 12 at 11 a.m., in the Royal Palm Room, Little Harbor Resort, Ruskin, followed by a Military Honors burial at Sarasota National Cemetery promptly at 2:30 p.m. Following the burial, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Royal Palm Room, Little Harbor Resort, from 5 p.m. until 7: p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a contribution be made to the Wounded Veteran charity of your choice. Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home.