Jack Kenneth Boyd

by | May 20, 2014 | Obituaries

Virginia Beach —Jack Kenneth Boyd died on May 1, 2014.

He was born on August 29, 1919 in Knoxville, Tenn. to Julius Raht Boyd and Louisa Norton Boyd. A 1937 graduate of Knoxville High School, he attended the University of Tennessee before enlisting in the Army in 1941. He served as a weatherman in the Pacific during World War II . Following the war he began a career in Memphis, Tenn. with the Federal Aviation Administration as an air route traffic controller. He retired in 1974 with 33 years of federal service.

He was active in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and Calvary Church in Memphis. He was a strong supporter of the Memphis Interfaith Association and a committed volunteer with the food bank program. After moving to Virginia Beach in 2008, he became a faithful member of Eastern Shore Chapel.

In retirement, he and his wife traveled widely throughout the world with Elderhostel and with University of Tennessee Alumni Tours. A lifelong learner, he developed remarkable knowledge of geography and world history. He remained a competent weatherman throughout his life.

He is predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Ruth Anne Koontz Boyd and his daughter, Rebecca Anne Boyd. He is survived by his daughter, Rachael Shedaker, and her husband Stanley, of Salisbury, Md., his daughter Louise Friedman and her husband Martin of Virginia Beach, and his son James Boyd and his wife Hilda of Knoxville. Also surviving are his six grandchildren, Tim Price and wife LiPing Price, Amy Price Neff and husband Eric Neff, Leah Friedman and her husband Stephen Feldman, Jeffrey Boyd and his wife Erika Boyd, Wilson Boyd and his wife Neily Boyd, and Rebecca Everett and husband Jay Everett. He delighted in attending their graduations and weddings.

He is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to Memphis Interfaith Association, 910 Vance Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38173, or to Eastern Shore Chapel, 2020 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454.

His body was donated to a medical school.