John Warren Boyd Jr.

John Warren Boyd, Jr. of Alton, VA passed away on Friday, April 20, 2012 at Halifax Regional Hospital. Born in Wise County, VA on October 30, 1922, John was the only child of John W. Boyd, Sr. and Pearl Mae Bray Boyd. He grew up in South Boston. After graduating from C.H. Friend High School, he attended the University of Virginia where he studied Geology. World War II interrupted his studies when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a bombardier defending both the Atlantic and the Gulf. John returned to Halifax County and married Sarah Elizabeth Rice, of Clarksville, in 1946, who preceded him in death. He spent his life farming in the Alton area where he raised cattle, poultry, and sheep. John participated in numerous civic organizations including the Ruritan Club, the American Legion, the Wool Growers Association; and a director on the board of the American Boxwood Society. He also served on the Board of Trustees for Danville Community College. John was an Elder at Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church and later transferred his membership to the First Presbyterian Church of South Boston. He is survived by his three children, John W. Boyd, III and his wife Leigh Deeds Boyd of Roanoke, James R. Boyd and his wife Angela Stevens Boyd of Charlottesville, and Sally Boyd Slaff of South Boston, grandchildren Sarah Catherine Boyd of Roanoke, Colin Bray Kuehner Boyd of Lexington, Andrew Blane Murray Boydof Greenwood, Elizabeth Caroline Boyd of Charlottesville, and Ashley Elizabeth Slaff of Oakland, CA, and a step-grandson, John Frederick Stevens Pifer of Charlottesville, and a dearly loved caregiver, Rosa Lawson of Alton.