Mr. Boyd Taught Me Life Lessons for Over 50 Years

Funeral services for Jerry Boyd will be Monday in Danville.

He was my assistant principal at Danville High School and then a man I got to know later in life in various capacities and someone that a lot of us are going to miss.

Gerald “Jerry” Boyd, 90, died last week after battling illness for several years. He was a former captain in the Army before becoming not only a successful coach but also a highly respected school administrator.

Boyd played football under Roy Kidd at Eastern Kentucky University and I loved the story Kidd told at Boyd’s 86th birthday about driving to Pennsylvania to bring Boyd back to EKU after he decided to leave the team. Boyd returned and later coached four years with Kidd at Richmond Model before Boyd came to Danville.

Boyd put up with no nonsense on the football field or the school hallways. I still remember the time he paddled both myself and a friend “because he knew we had done something we shouldn’t have even though he couldn’t prove it.” Guess what? He was right and 50 years ago it was okay to do that.

I both respected and feared Mr. Boyd. Never ever could I bring myself to just call him “Jerry.” To me, he was always “Mr. Boyd” and I never thought of addressing him any other way.

He loved our community and volunteered with the Constitution Square Festival before he was on board from day one with the Great American Brass Band Festival that just completed its 30th year. It was a pleasure to work with him at the Brass Band Festival because he was one of the most organized men I have ever known. And when he “asked” you to do something, you just did it.

For many years Boyd gave me two specific jobs — I was the personal band buddy for the Olympia Brass Band of New Orleans when they were in Danville and that was an interesting assignment because they could be high maintenance. However, the music was sensational and I developed great friendships with the band members.

The other job was to try and make sure his wife, Jane, did not get on stage with Olympia to close down the Saturday night show at the Brass Band Festival. Again, that was sometimes easier said than done but deep down I think Jerry kind of enjoyed watching his wife — and others — have such a good time at the festival.

Mr. Boyd never failed to ask me about my family any time he saw me and if I ever needed anything he would also be willing to help.

His obituary said he “will be remembered for his dedication, integrity, and unwavering support for his community” and that is really the “honest truth” as some might say.

The funeral service will be at 4 p.m. Monday at the First Christian Church with Rev. Colby Smith officiating. Visitation will be from 1-4 p.m. at the Church. Memorial donations are suggested to First Christian Church or the charity of your Choice.

To me, Mr. Boyd  was a daily example of the right way to do things and when you needed a kick in the butt or a pat on the back, he was there to provide it whether it was at age 16 or 65. He taught me more life lessons than I could ever explain and probably never fully told him how much I appreciate that like I should have and that’s why saying goodbye Monday is going to be hard for me and many, many others.