Emmett Daniel Boaz III

Emmett Daniel Boaz III Emmett Daniel Boaz III passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 6, 2010. His life will be celebrated and his passing mourned by countless family and friends

Emmett was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, on March 2, 1947. He was raised on the Boaz family apple orchard in Covesville, Virginia, nestled in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He graduated from Albemarle High school in 1965 and from Marshall University in 1969. Emmett was drafted and served in the United States Army from 1969 until 1971. After his military service he attended James Madison University and graduated with a master of arts in 1975.

Emmett was, throughout the years, a thoroughly complex individual. He once said that, "he had more careers than most people have outfits". He was a caring father; writer, teacher, gunsmith, musical historian, cultural conservator, epicurist, and an exceptional storyteller. Emmett had a great love for books, food, conversation, music and the history of his community. He was most recently the host of a Radio Show called "Leftover Biscuits" for Local Radio Station WTJU. This is one of the things he loved most dearly and it provided an opportunity to share his love of folk music and tall tales with its audience. In this age where there is so little variation among commercial radio stations; Emmett could broadcast a feeling of warmth, love, and companionship to a small but loyal audience. This was his way of making the world a better place, one listener at a time.

He was preceded in death by his father, Emmett Daniel Boaz Jr.; his mother, Marianna Wilson Boaz; two of his sisters, Marianna Boaz Woodward and Ada Cornelia Boaz; and his estranged wife, Lani Aikin Boaz.

He is survived by his brother, Wilson Ashby Boaz; his sister, Emily Katherine Kroehler; his son, Emmett Daniel Boaz IV; many cousins, nieces, and nephews; and, all of the treasured friends, who made up his extended family; all of whose lives were enriched with Emmett's stories, love and kindness.

A wake will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Stanardsville, Virginia, 5 p.m. Saturday, November 13, 2010.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to the radio station: WTJU, P.O. Box 400811, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904 and to Jefferson- Madison Regional Library 201 East Market Street, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902.



This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.