John E. Boydstun

1920 - 2016

John Eldon Boydstun Sr. passed away peacefully on August 31, 2016 with several family members present. He was preceded in death by his parents Pattie Dickey Boydstun and Charles Eldon Boydstun, his sister Nelbeth Boydstun Mooring, one great granddaughter Macy Lynn Tubbs, and his precious wife Margaret "Peggy" Archibald Boydstun.
John was born January 10, 1920 in El Centro, CA and was raised in Brawley, CA. The family moved to Bakersfield, CA in 1936. In 1938, John's father C. E. Boydstun established Boydstun Realty Co., Inc.
John attended Kern Union High, now Bakersfield High School. He graduated from Bakersfield Jr. College, was known for having a lot of spirit, and excelled as a BC song leader. He graduated from UC Berkley with a BS degree in Business Economics. In 1941, John received his real estate license, and he became a partner with his father at Boydstun Realty Co., Inc. When WWII broke out, John put his real estate license on "ice" so he could serve his country. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp, where he ultimately achieved the rank of Captain. He returned from WWII in the winter of 1945. John resumed his real estate career, and he studied for his brokers license which he obtained in 1946. John served as the 1952 President of the Bakersfield Association of Realtors. He achieved numerous accolades because of his dedication to the real estate community.
John met Peggy Archibald his, "forever valentine", in February 1947. The two were married June 28, 1947. The couple settled in Bakersfield, where they raised Patti, Bonnie, Midge and Jay (John Boydstun, Jr.). He was sweetheart to his wife, and the love of her life. He was an exceptional father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
John helped establish the Bakersfield College Alumni Association. He was a big BC Football supporter, and he was known for giving out the little red coin purses that are now stored in the archives at BC. John was one of the original members of the Bakersfield Country Club and an avid golfer. He was a Charter member of Kern Kiwanis Club of Bakersfield. He was instrumental in establishing Bakersfield Christian High School, and he was very active in Christian Business Men's Connection.
John had a great love for God, Family, Country and Community.
John is survived by his children: Patti Gay, Bonnie Wellman and her husband Paul, Midge Jimerson, Jay Boydstun and his wife Sherry; his grandchildren Tricia Gay-Woodruff, Nicole Gay-Woodruff, John Jimerson and his wife Stephanie, Kristen Tubbs and husband Tracy, Jason Jimerson, Chad Wellman and his wife Nichole, Bryan Boydstun, and Breanna Boydstun; his great-grandchildren Jeremy Bivens, Rachel Jimerson, Nicolas Gay-Woodruff, Taylor Gay-Woodruff, Adah Gay-Woodruff, Cameron Sweeny, Aubrey Wellman, and Tessa Tubbs. John is also survived by his sister-in-law Shirley Lusich and her husband George, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 1:00 PM, at First Presbyterian Church, 1705 17th Street, Bakersfield, CA. A graveside service will follow at Greenlawn Cemetary, 3700 River Blvd. Bakersfield, CA.
Memoriam's can be made to:
Northminster Presbyterian Church
Bakersfield Christian High School
BC Alumni Association
Kern Kiwanis Foundation
Or any Christian Organization of your choice