Donald Ray Boyd

Obituary of Donald Ray Boyd

Donald Ray Boyd went to meet Jesus and join his wife, Ruth, on December 17, 2012. He slipped comfortably from this world surrounded by family at the home of Steve and Susan Molchan in Boise. He is survived by his daughters: Ann Davis of New Plymouth, Idaho; Linn Smith of Cuenca, Ecuador; Karen Viehweg of Garden Valley, Idaho; Susan Molchan of Boise, Idaho; and Kathleen Ashbrook of Cuenca, Ecuador; and his grandchildren: Don and Chris Morehouse, Jared Davis, Erika and Margaret Molchan, Krystal Stotzer, Alenya Kamaile and Lisa Ashbrook, and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers and sisters: Jean Hill, Bill Boyd, and Darlene Williams. Born in Grand Junction, Colorado, to Bill and Virgie Boyd, Don was the 8th child in a combined family of 12 children. He worked farms and ranches from an early age, becoming a skilled hand with horses, machinery and equipment. He attended Weiser High School where he met and married Ruth Ann Kershisnik, with whom he celebrated 62 years of marriage prior to Ruth’s passing in 2011. Joining the US Air Force in 1949, Don was an expert in avionics. Stationed in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, Don also saw tours overseas, including Korea. Retiring from the Air Force after 22 years of service, Don worked for SRV Music (Snake River Valley) in Ontario, Oregon, for a number of years before taking a job with the Bureau of Land Management in Vale, Oregon, from which he also retired. Don enjoyed the outdoors, spending many weekends taking his family on camping trips. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. When he wasn’t enjoying the outdoors, he could be found under the hood of a car, tinkering with electronic equipment or playing guitar. Most of Don’s earlier friends would swear that his grand passion was singing and playing guitar. But after moving to Vale, Don began breeding and training quarter horses, and spent immeasurable hours reading, listening to and attending clinics on horsemanship and horse husbandry. When Don’s health limited his ability to work with horses, he happily spent his time surfing the net, and enjoyed sharing his finds with the many family and friends in his address book. And, he spent countless hours reading his Bible and talking to “The Boss.” Don taught his daughters that family comes first, to respect their elders, to be able to take care of themselves, to do something right or not do it at all, to respect the rights of others, to help those in need, to care for animals, to be honest, to do what’s right. The family is especially thankful for Don’s friends in Vale for all their help. They also thank St. Alphonsus Hospice, the nurses Chuck and Vicky, and the Visiting Angels who took care of Don through the nights. The daughters especially convey their love to Steve Molchan for the loving care and companionship he provided Don during this tough last year and a half. The family will be celebrating Don’s life on Friday, December 21st at 11:00 AM at Ten Mile Community Church, 4440 E. Columbia Road in Meridian. Memorials can be made to the Salvation Army. Remembrances may be left online for the family at www.AccentFuneral.com. Services are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, Meridian.
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