JAMES HENRY BOYD
February 1st, 1941 - February 13, 2016
James Henry Boyd, 75, fondly called "BO" by his siblings was called home by Jesus on February 13, 2016 , unexpectedly surrounded by his wife and children at Baptist hospital in Jacksonville, Florida .
Born in Lark , Texas the family moved shortly after to Amarillo, Texas until Jim started middle school and the family moved to Yakima, Washington. Jim was a big football and baseball star on his high school teams with many write ups of homeruns or touchdowns. Jim received a football and baseball scholarships for college, but joined the United States Army instead on December 24th, 1962. Jim was active duty serving in the Vietnam war until November 4th, 1966 and remaining as a reserve until November 23rd, 1968. He received an Honorable discharge as well as the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Nation Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal ,and the Good Conduct Medal.
In 1967 , Jim moved to Fernandina Beach, Florida to get away from any possibility of snow. There he went on a blind date and met the love of life. On February 17th, 1968 Jim married Betty Sue Harris at Ft Clinch state park. Shortly after they started a family and Jim made a living as a carpenter building many homes in Fernandina including the restoration in the 70's of the Nassau county court house on Centre street .
Deciding he wanted more for his family, Jim started working for the City of Fernandina Beach as a Animal Control Officer on January 20th, 1978. Jim attended and completed the Basic Recruit training and was promoted to Police officer on August 21st, 1980. Jim loved his job and serving his community. Jim served as the Police Department as Firearms instructor, Field Training Officer , and Assistant Shift Supervisor. On January 31, 2003 after 25 years of service, Jim retired from the city.
Jim was an avid hunter and marksman, always winning at the turkey shoot, or bringing a wild boar home. He also loved fishing for sheapshead out on the jetties. Many knew of the notorious a cook Jim was and had the privilege to dine on his talents. No one could make a Angel Food cake lighter than he. Jim belonged to the Fraternal Order of Police, The National Rifle Association, The Police Benevolent Assn, The American Legion , and the North American Hunting Club.
Once retired, Jim and Betty Sue would travel by car to see family in Oklahoma, Texas and their daughter in Washington state. He loved gun shows, making many of his own knives and guns himself. Also , a lover of car shows, he and his bride of 48 years were often seen riding around town in their , 1960 Ford Starliner. He loved college and pro football and enjoyed attending games to watch his, Florida Gators or Jacksonville Jaguars, even though he was and always would be a Texas Longhorn and Dallas Cowboy fan till the end.
Jim is survived by his wife of 48 years, Betty Sue (Harris) Boyd, Daughters, Donna Boyd-Jones(Brian) of Oak Harbor, Washington. Caroline Best of Fernandina Beach, Fl and Son, J.W Boyd(Amanda) also of Fernandina Beach, Fl.
Two Sisters, Doris Holmes and Laree (Ron) of Fernandina Beach, Florida. One brother, Keith (Judy) Sims of Lawton, Oklahoma. One great Aunt, Dorothy "Boy" Tabor of Amarillo, Texas. Ten Grandchildren, Jesse(Patty) Fabian, Justin Smith, Jacalyn Hefflefinger-Jones, Julia Jones, Camille Best, Alyssa Paraday, Cola Belle Boyd, Dylan Paraday, Madison Paraday, J.J Boyd, and one Great-Grandson, Cash Wesley Boyd.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 19, in the Stephens Chapel at Green Pine Funeral Home with Bishop Larry Osburn officiating. Interment will follow in Bosque Bello Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the funeral home.