With great sorrow we report that Richard Boyd passed away last week, November 21st, 2024, while in Knoxville seeking a second opinion about a serious medical concern.
All are invited to his Celebration of Life on Saturday December 7th at 1pm here at Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. A reception will follow.
The following is Richard's Obituary:
Richard Porter Boyd passed on 11/21/2024 at 80 years. He was born in Wakefield, Mass 11/16/1944 to Bertha A. Thayer and her husband Gordon Boyd.
He loved playing sports and was part of a winning high school Massachusetts football team honored at the White House by President John F. Kennedy.
He served in the Air Force security service in Vietnam where he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. After an honorable discharge, he earned a BA in Accounting and his first position was in a tax firm. He actually enjoyed doing taxes and he often helped people without pay including volunteering to do community taxes with AARP. Later, he became the Comptroller of a hospital where he became the Senior Vice President for 15 years. During this time, he also earned his Masters in Healthcare Administration. The next 12 years he was the first CEO of a multilevel retirement community in San Antonio.
Richard is survived by his wife of 48 years Joy, and his Son, Marty Boyd and his wife Missy, of Bronte Texas, 2 Granddaughters, Cheyenne Vasquez and her husband Jesus, Whitney Jones and her husband Ryan, Sisters Wanda Conroy and Beverly Selway and her husband Brian, Brothers, George, and Ray and his wife Pat, and also 9 Nephews and 4 Nieces. He has 4 great grandchildren, Amaris Avery, Elias Samuel, Ana Grace, and Emilia Claire Vasquez.
Richard was preceded in death by his Mother and Father, 2 brothers, Gordon and Chet (Sylvia), a grandson, Branson Scott Boyd, Son of Marty and Missy, Brother-in-Law, John Conroy (Wanda), and Niece Karen Clark.
He was an active member of the Holston Valley UU Church in Gray, TN for 20+ years.
Richard Boyd never had an enemy and made friends wherever he went. He was a man of Honor, Responsibility, Generosity and Humor and he will be truly missed by many who were lucky enough to meet and know him.
