Mayfield and Graves County have lost a true pillar of this community and this country has lost an American hero. John W. Boyd of Mayfield, Kentucky lost his fight for life at 11:05 a.m. Saturday November 3, 2007, at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah.
It was the second time in his 88 years that his frail body had been on the verge of death. The Japanese first tried to break his spirit and end his life during 21 months as a prisoner of war (POW) at Rangoon, Burma before being liberated on May 3, 1945. They failed. Saturday, however, those 21 months as a POW, plus his remaining years of an extraordinarily active life of service to his community, his family and his God finally took its toll and proved to be too much.
Mr. Boyd was first a faithful and loyal husband to his wife, Ruby, to whom he had been married 60 years. He was a loving father to his two daughters, Sharon Shreve and Debra Carter, and an especially loving and devoted grandfather. The doors of the former Seventh and College Church of Christ seldom opened without Mr. Boyd's presence. His service to his church and his God moved him into the Eldership of the congregation, where he served ably for many years. His attendance continued as a new church – Seven Oaks Church of Christ – was constructed and opened.
Mr. Boyd was a Realtor, who had also served as president of the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Realtors. Just this year he was named the Kiwanis Club's Veteran of the Year for 2007 and had been the 1977 Citizen of the Year as chosen by the Mayfield Messenger. He served on the Mayfield City Council and was the town's Mayor.
He was a World War II Army Air Corp veteran, POW, and recipient of the Purple Heart, Air Medal, and Distinguished Flying Cross.
Mr. Boyd fought feverishly for things he believed in and was especially true and devoted to his friends and acquaintances. Among those causes was his tireless work to see that World War II flying ace and Mayfield native, Herschel "Herkey" Green, was honored for his heroism. Today, a monument rests proudly on the Mayfield Courthouse square in Green's honor – a tribute not only to Green, but an everlasting tribute to Boyd's legacy.
Services for Mr. Boyd will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Seven Oaks Church of Christ on Ky. 97. Josh Ketchum will officiate. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 - 8 p.m. today at the Byrn Funeral Home on Paris Road in Mayfield. The body will lie in state at the church from noon until the funeral hour. Graveside military rites will be conducted by American legion Post 26 of Mayfield. Godspeed and well done John Boyd.
World War II Prisoners of War Data File
Army Serial # 17029714, Tech Sergeant
Army Air Corp, 10th Air Force, 341st Bomb Group, 22nd Bomb Squadron. China-Burma -India Theater
Shot down: 3 AUG 1943
Detaining Power: Japan
Camp: Burma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
Liberated: 3 MAY 1945
It was the second time in his 88 years that his frail body had been on the verge of death. The Japanese first tried to break his spirit and end his life during 21 months as a prisoner of war (POW) at Rangoon, Burma before being liberated on May 3, 1945. They failed. Saturday, however, those 21 months as a POW, plus his remaining years of an extraordinarily active life of service to his community, his family and his God finally took its toll and proved to be too much.
Mr. Boyd was first a faithful and loyal husband to his wife, Ruby, to whom he had been married 60 years. He was a loving father to his two daughters, Sharon Shreve and Debra Carter, and an especially loving and devoted grandfather. The doors of the former Seventh and College Church of Christ seldom opened without Mr. Boyd's presence. His service to his church and his God moved him into the Eldership of the congregation, where he served ably for many years. His attendance continued as a new church – Seven Oaks Church of Christ – was constructed and opened.
Mr. Boyd was a Realtor, who had also served as president of the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Realtors. Just this year he was named the Kiwanis Club's Veteran of the Year for 2007 and had been the 1977 Citizen of the Year as chosen by the Mayfield Messenger. He served on the Mayfield City Council and was the town's Mayor.
He was a World War II Army Air Corp veteran, POW, and recipient of the Purple Heart, Air Medal, and Distinguished Flying Cross.
Mr. Boyd fought feverishly for things he believed in and was especially true and devoted to his friends and acquaintances. Among those causes was his tireless work to see that World War II flying ace and Mayfield native, Herschel "Herkey" Green, was honored for his heroism. Today, a monument rests proudly on the Mayfield Courthouse square in Green's honor – a tribute not only to Green, but an everlasting tribute to Boyd's legacy.
Services for Mr. Boyd will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Seven Oaks Church of Christ on Ky. 97. Josh Ketchum will officiate. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 - 8 p.m. today at the Byrn Funeral Home on Paris Road in Mayfield. The body will lie in state at the church from noon until the funeral hour. Graveside military rites will be conducted by American legion Post 26 of Mayfield. Godspeed and well done John Boyd.
World War II Prisoners of War Data File
Army Serial # 17029714, Tech Sergeant
Army Air Corp, 10th Air Force, 341st Bomb Group, 22nd Bomb Squadron. China-Burma -India Theater
Shot down: 3 AUG 1943
Detaining Power: Japan
Camp: Burma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
Liberated: 3 MAY 1945
Mayfield and Graves County have lost a true pillar of this community and this country has lost an American hero. John W. Boyd of Mayfield, Kentucky lost his fight for life at 11:05 a.m. Saturday November 3, 2007, at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah.
It was the second time in his 88 years that his frail body had been on the verge of death. The Japanese first tried to break his spirit and end his life during 21 months as a prisoner of war (POW) at Rangoon, Burma before being liberated on May 3, 1945. They failed. Saturday, however, those 21 months as a POW, plus his remaining years of an extraordinarily active life of service to his community, his family and his God finally took its toll and proved to be too much.
Mr. Boyd was first a faithful and loyal husband to his wife, Ruby, to whom he had been married 60 years. He was a loving father to his two daughters, Sharon Shreve and Debra Carter, and an especially loving and devoted grandfather. The doors of the former Seventh and College Church of Christ seldom opened without Mr. Boyd's presence. His service to his church and his God moved him into the Eldership of the congregation, where he served ably for many years. His attendance continued as a new church – Seven Oaks Church of Christ – was constructed and opened.
Mr. Boyd was a Realtor, who had also served as president of the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Realtors. Just this year he was named the Kiwanis Club's Veteran of the Year for 2007 and had been the 1977 Citizen of the Year as chosen by the Mayfield Messenger. He served on the Mayfield City Council and was the town's Mayor.
He was a World War II Army Air Corp veteran, POW, and recipient of the Purple Heart, Air Medal, and Distinguished Flying Cross.
Mr. Boyd fought feverishly for things he believed in and was especially true and devoted to his friends and acquaintances. Among those causes was his tireless work to see that World War II flying ace and Mayfield native, Herschel "Herkey" Green, was honored for his heroism. Today, a monument rests proudly on the Mayfield Courthouse square in Green's honor – a tribute not only to Green, but an everlasting tribute to Boyd's legacy.
Services for Mr. Boyd will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Seven Oaks Church of Christ on Ky. 97. Josh Ketchum will officiate. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 - 8 p.m. today at the Byrn Funeral Home on Paris Road in Mayfield. The body will lie in state at the church from noon until the funeral hour. Graveside military rites will be conducted by American legion Post 26 of Mayfield. Godspeed and well done John Boyd.
World War II Prisoners of War Data File
Army Serial # 17029714, Tech Sergeant
Army Air Corp, 10th Air Force, 341st Bomb Group, 22nd Bomb Squadron. China-Burma -India Theater
Shot down: 3 AUG 1943
Detaining Power: Japan
Camp: Burma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
Liberated: 3 MAY 1945
It was the second time in his 88 years that his frail body had been on the verge of death. The Japanese first tried to break his spirit and end his life during 21 months as a prisoner of war (POW) at Rangoon, Burma before being liberated on May 3, 1945. They failed. Saturday, however, those 21 months as a POW, plus his remaining years of an extraordinarily active life of service to his community, his family and his God finally took its toll and proved to be too much.
Mr. Boyd was first a faithful and loyal husband to his wife, Ruby, to whom he had been married 60 years. He was a loving father to his two daughters, Sharon Shreve and Debra Carter, and an especially loving and devoted grandfather. The doors of the former Seventh and College Church of Christ seldom opened without Mr. Boyd's presence. His service to his church and his God moved him into the Eldership of the congregation, where he served ably for many years. His attendance continued as a new church – Seven Oaks Church of Christ – was constructed and opened.
Mr. Boyd was a Realtor, who had also served as president of the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Realtors. Just this year he was named the Kiwanis Club's Veteran of the Year for 2007 and had been the 1977 Citizen of the Year as chosen by the Mayfield Messenger. He served on the Mayfield City Council and was the town's Mayor.
He was a World War II Army Air Corp veteran, POW, and recipient of the Purple Heart, Air Medal, and Distinguished Flying Cross.
Mr. Boyd fought feverishly for things he believed in and was especially true and devoted to his friends and acquaintances. Among those causes was his tireless work to see that World War II flying ace and Mayfield native, Herschel "Herkey" Green, was honored for his heroism. Today, a monument rests proudly on the Mayfield Courthouse square in Green's honor – a tribute not only to Green, but an everlasting tribute to Boyd's legacy.
Services for Mr. Boyd will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Seven Oaks Church of Christ on Ky. 97. Josh Ketchum will officiate. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 - 8 p.m. today at the Byrn Funeral Home on Paris Road in Mayfield. The body will lie in state at the church from noon until the funeral hour. Graveside military rites will be conducted by American legion Post 26 of Mayfield. Godspeed and well done John Boyd.
World War II Prisoners of War Data File
Army Serial # 17029714, Tech Sergeant
Army Air Corp, 10th Air Force, 341st Bomb Group, 22nd Bomb Squadron. China-Burma -India Theater
Shot down: 3 AUG 1943
Detaining Power: Japan
Camp: Burma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
Liberated: 3 MAY 1945
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