Mr. James Blake Boyd, Jr.

It is with great sadness that the Boyd family announces the passing of James Blake Boyd, Jr. Blake passed peacefully at home on August 10, 2024 with his wife at his side after a courageous battle with cancer. His family was given the gift of time to reflect on Blake’s life with them. A funeral service to honor his life will be held at 1 o'clock on Friday, August 16, 2024 at Magnolia Cemetery. Father H. Pickett Wall will officiate. The family will receive friends at a reception immediately following the service at Kalmia Gardens, 1624 W. Carolina Avenue, Hartsville, SC. Blake was born April 7, 1952 and grew up in Hartsville, SC and experienced an idyllic American childhood, riding his bike home from elementary school to be met by his favorite dog, Mike, and playing football in Lawton Pasture with many of his neighborhood friends from Goodson Road. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his dad and has shared his love for these activities with many others over the years. An avid outdoorsman, Blake will be remembered for often squeezing in an early morning duck hunt before school, and for enthusiastically preparing deer plots and duck ponds to share hunts and to spend time with his children. Blake was happiest in a boat on the water, whether amongst the cypress knees on Black Creek, the cool dam waters of Lake Wateree, the misty rivers of Tennessee, and later quite simply a fishing pond with good company. Blake attended Wofford College and earned a BS degree in Biology, where he made lifelong friends as a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity. Later, he earned an MBA from the University of South Carolina. Blake was employed with Sonoco Products Company and Paper Stock Dealers until his retirement. He was a Charter Member of The Outdoor Club in Hartsville. As a father, Blake was very dedicated to teaching his three children and his nephews, Blake and Alderman Maynard, about the outdoors. Many people owe their first deer harvest in part to the help of Blake. Blake showed his devotion as a father by hauling Blake III, as a child, on his back up the tree stand, taking his daughter to “father, son (and Margie) weekends," and cheering on Blake and Taylor from his spot near third base at their baseball games while sipping on a cold Mountain Dew. In retirement, Blake moved to Bristol, TN to pursue his passion for fly fishing, fostering a love of fishing with anyone who climbed into his boat. Years later, Blake found love when Lyrae Rogers stepped into his boat on the South Holston River, a story that always made him chuckle. In 2020, Blake married Lyrae and moved to Society Hill, SC, bringing his fun-loving, laughter-filled spirit to their home and blended families. Blake enjoyed his quiet farm life with his dog, Ace, by his side – raising chickens, browsing farm sales, growing an extensive garden, and looking at trail camera pictures from the hunting land set up by son Blake. Blake was the son of the late Ellen Foreman and James Blake Boyd, Sr. He is survived by a large and adoring family: his wife, Lyrae Rogers Boyd, children J. Blake Boyd III and wife Liza Towell Boyd of Camden, SC, and Marjorie Boyd Warren and husband Aaron Joseph Warren of Jackson, WY. In addition to his parents, Blake was preceded in death by his son, Arthur Taylor Boyd and his brother-in-law Paul LeMauviel. Joining Blake’s family in 2020 were Drake and Graeme Meikle of Edinburgh, Scotland, Thom and Amanda Rogers of Spartanburg, SC and Caleb and Anna Rogers of Billings, MT. Blake is also survived by his much-beloved grandchildren Elle Boyd, Adeline Boyd, Noah Warren, James Warren, George Rogers III, Emma Rogers, Morris Rogers, Rynn Rogers and Jackson Rogers, his loving sisters and brothers-in-law Louise and Rex Maynard of Belton, SC and Ellen Boyd and Ron Bilas of Weaverville, NC. In addition, Blake had numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved. Blake’s family would also like to thank Agape Care and Dr. Powell for their services and care. Memorials may be made to: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a charity of your choice, or take a friend or child hunting or fishing!

Tributes

Mr. James Blake Boyd, Jr.

April 7, 1952 - August 10, 2024