Duane Gene Boyd

Duane G. Boyd, 93, passed to his next life at 5:33 a.m. on December 16, 2021.  Duane and his family resided on Crayton Avenue in Shawnee for 55 years, most recently residing at the Elmcroft Senior Living Center in Lima. Duane was born on May 30, 1928, in Denver, Colorado, the third of four sons to Hardy and Mary (Bentson) Boyd.

Duane was loved and respected by all that knew him, a soft-spoken honorable man that led by example.  Duane was a member of Faith Christian Church in Shawnee, having served in several capacities as a charter member at the West Elm United Church of Christ in Lima.   Duane enlisted in the Army in September 1946 and was shipped to Kunsan, South Korea where he served in the infantry, as a cook, and as a clerk contributing to the base newspaper.  Duane returned to the States and received an honorable discharge in January 1948.

Duane married Jean A. (Sherriff) Boyd at Grace Community Methodist Church in Denver on September 3, 1950.  Duane and Jean met in a hiking club on a trip up Hallett’s Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park while they both attended Colorado State University, known at Colorado A&M at the time.  Duane and Jean celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary this past September.

Duane graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree from A&M in 1952 and was hired as Sales Manager in the Aerospace Electrical Division at Westinghouse where he was employed for 35 years until his retirement in July 1990.

Duane was an outdoor enthusiast growing up in the Rockies.  Duane and his 3 brothers all achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.  He continued his scouting career as an adult scouter in the Shawnee Council when he came to Lima, serving as the Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 86.  In July 1971, he was awarded scouting’s highest award for adult scouters, the coveted Silver Beaver award.

Duane was an avid birder, compiling a life list of over 450 birds.  After retiring, Duane and Jean spent many winters ‘snow-birding’ in the southern states, crossing the country in their RV and reveling in their bird watching hobby.  Beyond their continental US travels, they visited Alaska, Japan, New Zealand, and the Boyd ancestral home in Orkney Aisles, Scotland.  Duane was active in Tri-Moraine Audubon, and was an active volunteer with his wife at the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District for over 35 years.

Surviving is his wife Jean Boyd, 92, along with their five children: Sharon (Jim) Beckford of Harrod, Keith (Karla-dec’d) Boyd of Lima, Norman (Bobbie) Boyd of Cincinnati, Michael (Rachel) Boyd of Lansing, MI, and Lynette (Ted) Goodwin of Pikeville, TN.  Duane’s legacy lives on in 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.  Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Alvin Boyd, Clinton Boyd, and Vernon Boyd.

The family may honor Duane from 3 p.m. to 7p.m. on Monday, December 20, 2021, at the Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home in Lima, Ohio.  Friends and family can honor Duane at the Faith Christian Church at 11:00 preceding a funeral service which will begin at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, Rev. Terri Haithcock officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.