James W. Boyd, Jim, was born in Kingman, Arizona, October 18, 1932, and died June 14, 2024. His parents were Earl Harold Boyd and Henrietta Allen Boyd. Earl was a trader with the Hualapai Indians and operated the garage and Shell Service station in Peach Springs. Jim started school at Yavapai Rural School where his mother taught. At the age of nine, his family returned to Kansas. He attended Beloit Elementary and High School, graduating in 1950. After high school, he went to Kansas State University. Jim was active in the Sigma Nu fraternity, music, and played French horn in the KSU marching band with the special honor of performing with the band for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He received his B.S. Degree in Business Administration. His career began with the Boeing Manufacturing Company in Wichita as a purchasing agent.
On April 3, 1955, he married Patricia Ann Ahlvers. They made their first home in Wichita and Haysville. Their daughter, Debra, was born in Wichita.
Peach Springs, Arizona, was their next home where they operated a motel and service station on Highway 66. Their daughter, Pamela, was born in Kingman. After four years in Arizona the family moved to Osborne where Jim was employed with Farm Bureau for 37 years as a claims adjuster then transitioning to a storm trooper in retirement.
Serving as a school board member for USD 392 in Osborne for eight years allowed him the opportunity to proudly award both his daughters their high school diplomas. He was honored as a 60-year member of the Rotary Club and Mt. Vernon Lodge #145 Masonic Order of Beloit. He supported the causes of these organizations particularly as they related to assisting children.
While he might have been described as disabled by childhood polio, his disability was not a factor as he enjoyed diverse hobbies and interests including singing in church choir and attending concerts and serving as a board member of Beloit Area Concert Association, creating art in a variety of medias, woodworking, tennis, golf, swimming, water skiing even into his 80's, and learning to snow ski in his 50's. He also spent hours as a lifeguard at the NCK Wellness Center. The lifeguard recertification process required the individual to swim to the bottom of the pool, retrieve a cement block and return it to the side of the pool. He continued to swim until May of 2023.
Traveling was a passion. Jim and Pat traveled abroad fourteen times in addition to revisiting a favorite unique and adventurous destination, Supai, in the Grand Canyon with family and friends. "Do you have any trips planned?" was a favorite question.
Kind, generous, compassionate, energetic, and hospitable were the personality traits that defined his daily life. His words of advice to live by, "Don't ever retire."
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Nathan Krier; survived by his wife of 69 years, Pat; daughters, Deb (Randy) Williams, Valley Center, Pam (Roger) Krier, Beloit; grandchildren, Matthew (Leighana) Williams, Andrew (Rachel) Krier, Michael (Bryanna) Williams, Elyse (Ty) Pfizenmaier; great-grandchildren, Teddy Williams, Scarlett and Rusty Krier, Benton Williams; brother, John (Lynda) Boyd of Phoenix, Arizona; sister, Helen Earlene Tice (Ron) of Beloit.
Funeral services will be at 10 AM Friday, June 21, at the Beloit First Presbyterian Church followed by burial in Glenwood Cemetery in Glen Elder.
Visitation with family will be from 5 PM to 7 PM Thursday, June 20, at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. The casket will remain closed.
Memorials may be given to the Shriner's Hospital or the Beloit First Presbyterian Church.
Roberts Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left at www.robertsfamilyfs.com