James Carson Boyd

James Carson Boyd, 92, of Bentonville, Ark., passed away Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, at the Bradford House. He was born Dec. 14, 1920, in Sentinel, Okla., to Charlie Boyd and Macie Eleanor Young Boyd. He proudly served in the United States Navy during WWII and retired from the United States Naval Reserve in 1980 as a Lt. Commander. James graduated from Oklahoma State, received his master's of education from the University of Arkansas and taught vocational agriculture at Bentonville High School from 1947 to 1982, and also sponsored the FFA chapter all those years. He had a passion for teaching and especially loved those he called "his boys" who went on to work in various fields of agriculture. A mother once stated that "he taught our sons not only how to make a living, but how to live a life." On Dec. 23, 1949, he married the love of his life, Frances Grace Gammon. During their 63 years together they enjoyed their family and had fun visiting many places in the United States and Canada. He was an active, faithful member of First Presbyterian Church in Bentonville since 1947, serving as elder, trustee and working in any position that was needed. He was dedicated to his wife, his family, his students and his church. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Thurman Boyd; and one sister, Natina Harkleroad. James is survived by his wife, Frances Grace Boyd; one son, James Ray Boyd and wife, Terri, of Tulsa, Okla.; four daughters, Amy Bradshaw and husband, Don, of Bentonville, Ark., Mary Cummings and husband, Mike, of Prairie Grove, Ark., Jane Boyd, of Grapevine, Texas, and Anita Turner and husband, Rusty, of Rogers, Ark.; three brothers, Ewell Boyd of Eureka, Calif., Charles Ray and wife, June, of McAlister, Okla., and Billy Joe Boyd of Tulsa, Okla.; 10 grandchildren, Jimmy Boyd, John Boyd, Billy Boyd, Melissa Boyd, Jennifer Bradshaw, Kelly Bradshaw and wife, Lyndsay, Scott Cummings and wife, Elizabeth, Eric Cummings and wife, Serena, Stephen Turner and wife, Amber, and Matthew Turner; four great-grandchildren, McKenzie Boyd, Isaac Cummings, Caroline Cummings and Ellinor Cummings; as well as numerous loving nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013, at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church in Bentonville, with the Rev. Darwin D. Wolfe and the Rev. Barry Williams officiating. Private burial will be held at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville. Memorials may be made in honor of James Boyd to the First Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund of Bentonville, 901 NE J St., Bentonville, AR 72712. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Words of comfort may be expressed or memories shared at Stockdalefuneral.com.