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1945 - 2012
 John Hamilton Boyd III, 66, passed away Monday, February 13, 2012 at his home in Kerrville, Texas. John was born on May 19, 1945 in El Campo, Texas to Dr. John and Lenore (Anglin) Boyd II. John was a graduate of Schreiner High School, Schreiner Jr. College and the United States Military Academy at West Point. He also received a Master's degree from Princeton University and retired from the U.S. Army as a Lt. Col. having served in Vietnam and Germany from 1966 until 1976.
John worked for Aramco in Saudi Arabia and for Parsons Corporation in Nigeria and California. He lived in Riverside County CA for many years. After retiring, John and Kathleen became full time RV'ers, traveling 55,000 miles, before settling in Kerrville in 2010. John enjoyed reading, genealogy and was a moderator of the West Point Class of '66 Forum.
John was preceded in death by his parents Dr. John Boyd & Lenore Boyd, his brother Alan R. Boyd and his first wife Mary Dora Boyd.
John is survived by his loving wife Kathleen Boyd of Kerrville, Texas, sons Philip R. (Clara) Boyd of Columbus, GA, John C. (Kate) Boyd of Petaluma, CA, step-sons Hans (Andrea) Dochtermann of Clarksville, TN, Ned (Heather) Dochtermann of Sparks, NV, step-mother Myrtle Boyd of Boerne, TX, brothers James R. (Rose) Boyd of Bryan, TX, Robert (Edna) Boyd of San Antonio, TX, sisters Dr. Teresa Boyd (Jack) Mynier of Boerne, TX, Ann (Terry) Maxwell of San Angelo, TX, Debbie (John) Carrigan of Buda, TX, and Melody (Frank) Medders of Stephenville, TX. He is also survived by grandchildren Lance Boyd, Branden Boyd, Rennie Boyd, Tess Boyd and Eva Dochtermann who loved him and will miss him. Loved and missed by many other family members, John was a kind, decent, loving man for whom the West Point Honor System was a way of life. " When he smiled at you, his affection was a balm to the soul."
A private, family celebration of John's life will be held in Kerrville. Interment and services will be held at West Point at a later date.
Contributions in John's memory may be made to Peterson Hospice or a literacy program of your choice.
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There are currently 13 condolences.
bill stacy
Tuesday January 22, 2013 at
9:35 PM
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thank you for the note about John. I am so sorry to hear that he passed away.He was a good friend and he was fun to work with.He will be missed for a long time. bill Stacy
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Lauren Boyd McLachlan
president@clanboyd.org
Monday June 4, 2012 at
11:54 PM
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I only just learned of John's death. My sincere condolences to Kathleen and the rest of John's family. John was a devoted genealogist and tried to help fellow Boyds connect whenever he had the opportunity. He will be missed.
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Roger Thompson
Sunday March 4, 2012 at
12:27 PM
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I am very sorry for John and his family. He was a beacon for all. God Bless and take his soul and God Bless his survivors.
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Ron Cox
Saturday February 18, 2012 at
12:32 PM
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I am deeply saddened by the news of John's death. This July will be the 50th anniversary of John entering West Point as a new cadet. We were in the same squad during that summer. He was very smart, a man of character, and a great colleague. Bless him!
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Wilson Kone - USMA Class of 1966
wilkone@gmail.com
Saturday February 18, 2012 at
12:00 PM
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John and I started our Army career together at West Point in the same Beast Barracks Squad and in the same company during plebe year. I admired him at his ability to take things in stride even when the upper-class where all over him. May God bless his family.
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Dorothy Trez McGpwem
bdmcg@suddenlink.net
Friday February 17, 2012 at
9:05 PM
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John has been a long time friend since he was a plebe at West Point. We didn't see each other often but we have been friends over the years and Bob and I really care about him and we are going to miss him. We are also glad that we met the new love of his life Kathleen and our hearts and thoughts are with her and the boys and their families. John we loved you and will miss you. Dottie and Bob
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Al Sirutis, USMA Class of 1966
Friday February 17, 2012 at
8:10 PM
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I'm a West Point Classmate of John's, and did not know him well, but wanted to share one small memory that has stuck with me. During Beast Barracks in 1962, I darted out of a hallway and into John's room, for reasons that I can't recall. It was mid-day, and John was there, reading a novel. I was shocked, as everyone else I knew would be studying Bugle Notes if they could find the time; novels were out of the question! But John was able to handle that, in the midst of an extremely hectic time in most of our lives. I would have like to have known him better. My condolences to Kathleen and the rest of his family. - Al Sirutis
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Bill Traubel
Friday February 17, 2012 at
12:31 PM
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John was one of a small group running the Scoutmaster's Council, which was a Cadet Club focused on helping the local Boy Scout troop. I knew John for all four years in that role. He was a go-getter making things happen. He was a key player along with Norm Cooney and Jack Fera in creating a Scout Camporee, which has since become a major scouting attraction on the East Coast. Well done John, RIP.
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Floyd Culhane
Friday February 17, 2012 at
7:47 AM
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I am a West Point classmate of Johns but I did not know him at West Point. I got to know him as a result of participation in our class website. When I heard he had cancer I contacted him directly to give him encouragement. I am a two time survivor of cancer, albeit it the most survivable cancers, and I commonly give encouragement to those classmates who join the club .
Shortly after my initial contact with John, the sister of a close friend, Kathy, was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in her lung. After radiation, her tumor remained but it had not metastasized and did not appear to be growing. I contacted John to find out how he had handled his diagnosis. He graciously reviewed her situation and offered his advice. She should get a second opinion, her situation is serious. John was handling his diagnosis as a call to arms, Kathy and her family were handling hers, as most do, with wishful optimism and faith in her doctor. I conveyed Johns advice to Kathys family and they were more than appreciative. Shortly thereafter, Kathys cancer metastasized and her family asked me to ask John for advice. John was more than helpful. He provided detailed guidance even though his condition had worsened and he was headed to MD Anderson for experimental treatment. He explained how he planned to fight the fight.
I and Kathys family consider John heroic in his fight. John hoped to be able to tell our classmates what he did to meet the challenge when we attended our 50th reunion in 2016. He planned to be there; I was confident he would be.
Kathys family and I grieve for John. We thought it was a battle that if it could be won, John would win it.
Kathys condition materially worsened after I last communicated with John and before she could follow Johns battle plan. She now is waiting to meet her creator in a better place. She will run into John there. I gave her his picture and told her to look him up, he is a man worth knowing.
Floyd Culhane
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K. W. "Bill" Hayes, ex-66
Thursday February 16, 2012 at
11:11 PM
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I got to know John on the ski slopes at USMA after crashing into each other. Texans on skis! We only saw each other a few times after that, but I enjoyed his interesting sense of humor. We swapped a few stories about his time at Schreiner and my time at Allen Military Academy. RIP
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William Barry, USMA Class of 1966
Thursday February 16, 2012 at
10:18 PM
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John and I have become good internet chat buddies the last 10 years even though I did not know him as a cadet. He had a great smile and was a warm and engaging guy. I will miss him and will keep him in my prayers.
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Richard Swain, USMA Class of 1966
Thursday February 16, 2012 at
5:48 PM
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John and I began our West Point careers in Mr. Duffey's squad of Fifth New Cadet Company in July 1962. He was a superb commrade with a ready smile amidst all the chaos. You never forget your first squad mates. "Be thou at Peace."
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Susan Carver
Wednesday February 15, 2012 at
9:49 AM
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I was so sorry to learn of John's passing. I work for Schreiner University and got to know John by receiving his Class Notes and letting us know about his good life with Kathleen. We will keep you in our prayers. Susan Carver
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