Bob Boyd

(From Parker Mortuary)

Wesley Robert Boyd, aged 91, Joplin, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2017, at Freeman Hospital, after a sudden and short illness.

Bob was born December 25, 1925, in Joplin, Mo, son of the late Harvey Hoyt Boyd and Ethel Holley Boyd.

He graduated from Joplin Senior High School with the class of 1943 and promptly enlisted in the U. S. Navy attending officers training at Millsaps College, Jackson, Ms., continuing on to Midshipman’s School, Notre Dame University, attaining the rank of Ensign. Commissioned July 1945, he served aboard the battleship USS Tennessee in the Pacific as a Gunnery Officer and night watchman, a post he held for a unique ability to see in the dark.

After his service, he received degrees in Economics from Washington U., St. Louis and an MBA from U. of Chicago Boone School of Business. Accepted to Washington U Law School, he chose instead to return to Joplin to join his father’s business, Pipkin Boyd Neal Meatpacking Co.

In 1954, he moved to Cape Girardeau, Mo., to manage a branch location, where he met his wife of sixty years, Bettye Louise Gerhardt. When the company closed its doors in 1968 he returned to Joplin to purchase Grandpa Pigeon’s Discount Store. With the closing of the store, and not ready to retire, began the seasonal businesses of Black Market Fireworks and Memorial Day flowers. He continued with both of these well into his 80’s and he truly loved his customers. He was a very generous person and many businesses and organizations owe a good part of their success to his insight, knowledge and guidance.

He was fiercely proud of his Scottish heritage and wore the kilt throughout his life. He was better than an encyclopedia, and had an acute memory even up to up to his final hours. He was a lifelong supporter of the causes and affiliations important to him; Beta Theta Pi fraternity, U of Chicago, Nature Conservancy, Missouri Prairie Foundation, Commemorative Air Force, to name only a few.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bettye L. Boyd, and two brothers Rex Boyd and Howard Boyd.

Survivors include children, Ann Mockett Smith and husband David Smith of New Smyrna Beach, Fl., Robert Wesley Boyd of Tulsa, Ok., Randolph Nelson Sykes and wife Kimberly of Port Orange, Fl., Kathrine Trammell and husband Dr. Vic Trammell of Broken Arrow, Ok. and Derrick Ingram and wife Jackie of Houston, Tx. Grandchildren Hannah Boyd, Ian Boyd and Annie Smith.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.