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In Memory Of Our Poets

Joseph Bernard Boyd (1934-2011) - Class Of 1953

Joseph Bernard “Coach” Boyd, 76, of Melbourne, FL, swiftly went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 29, 2011. He was born November 23, 1934 in Montgomery, AL, the son of Joseph and Lilia Boyd. As a youth, he was very active and participated in YMCA recreational sports programs. He was an excellent swimmer, and later taught swimming lessons and served as Life Guard at the Montgomery Country Club and the Military Officer’s Club.

In 1953, Coach graduated from Sidney Lanier High School, where he excelled in academics and sports. He was captain of the basketball team and played football. He attended Troy State University on a basketball scholarship, majored in education, and was elected vice president of his class. In 1958, he began a 46-year career devoted to teaching and coaching high school students.

After graduating college, Coach’s first teaching job was at New Brockton High School, where for two years he taught Social Studies and Physical Education and was the head basketball and baseball coach. From 1960 to 1962, he taught at Lanett High School and was the head basketball coach and assistant football coach. From 1962 to 1988, Coach taught at Robert E. Lee High School, where he was the head basketball coach, assistant football coach, and cross country coach. Along the way, he was a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association and Alabama High School Coaches Association. He was named Alabama’s Coach of the Year in 1975 and was a 5-time recipient of Montgomery’s Coach of the Year award. Coach retired from teaching(for the first time) in 1988 and later returned to serve as principal orassistant principal for several other high schools in Montgomery, AL as well as serving as head basketball coach for Catholic High School in Montgomery. He also served on the Community Challenge Planning Committee, spoke regularly to civic clubs and for the Alabama Department of Corrections Youth Offenders, and was a longstanding member of Morningview Baptist Church where he served as Deacon.

In 1991, Coach relocated to St. Cloud, Florida to begin a second career in education. At St. Cloud High School, he taught Social Studies, Health, and Physical Education and was the head basketball coach and assistant football and baseball coach. In 2005, Coach retired as an educator (for the second time).

Coach was happiest when attending church and spending time with his family and friends. He was a member at Suntree United Methodist Church, a member of Faith & Fellowship Sunday school class, and active in a men's Bible study that meets on Thursday mornings. He also attended Wednesday night Journey classes. He loved traveling to Asheboro, North Carolina and visiting with his sister-in-law Jeanette and brother-in-law Jimmy. When in Asheboro, he attended New Union Methodist Church, which became a second church home for him.

No matter where he was and regardless of any ongoing activity, Coach always made Friday evening phone calls to all of his children. He looked forward all week to talking with them and could not rest until he reached all of them to tell them how much he missed them, loved them, and looked forward to visiting with them.

The impact Coach had on his family, friends, students, and athletes is without measure and one they will remember for a lifetime. He also touched the lives of his neighbors in Waterford Place, ofSuntree, where he was known for walking his beloved cat Rudy Valentino in a stroller twice a day.

He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Elaine; sister, Muriel (Barnes) of Clemson, SC; brother, Harold (Peggy) of Rome, GA; sister-in-law, Jeanette (Jimmy) Hinshaw of Asheboro, NC; two sons, Joel (Debby) of Trussville, AL and Mailon (Caroline) of Montgomery, AL; two daughters, Jan (Joe) of La Fayette, AL and Cheryl (Sam) of Dallas, TX; eight grandchildren, Brooks(Lindsey), Chelsea (Matt), Mallory, Emily, Maya, Jake, Jacqueline, and Samuel; two great-grandchildren, Chandler and Cooper; and Rudy the cat.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 7th, at 11:00 a.m. at Suntree United Methodist Church in Melbourne. Donations may be made to Suntree United Methodist Church in memory of Coach Joe Boyd. An online guestbook may be signed atwww.beckmanwilliamson.com.

Celebration of Life

Monday November 7, 2011, 11:00 AM at Suntree United Methodist Church
Click for Map and Directions



An online guestbook may be signed at www.beckmanwilliamson.com.

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Published in FLORIDA TODAY from November 4 to November 6, 2011