Carl Grant Boaz

Carl Grant Boaz
February 14, 1940 – March 19, 2026


The first of six boys, Carl was born at home in Wichita, Kansas on Valentine’s Day in 1940 to Paul and Mollie Boaz, who had seen a Cary Grant movie the night before and named him accordingly. With dark eyes and dimples, he grew to be as handsome as his namesake. He passed away peacefully at the age of 86.

Carl graduated from Friends University and followed his father in the ministry, attending seminary at the University of Dubuque and being ordained by the Presbyterian Church USA. He married Patsy Lutes in 1961 and had two girls, Michelle and Melissa, while in Iowa. He married Lynellen Wallower in 1974 and had a son, Joshua, in Texas. He moved to New Mexico and married Laura Fox in 1987, becoming a stepfather to her son, Matt, and having a daughter, Sarah.

He loved rainy days and woodworking. Carl was blessed with a beautiful tenor voice and sang in the church choir. He played the piano, organ, and guitar, and even built his own harpsichord when he was 30. He was physically active until the end of his life, steadfastly going to the gym each week. He inherited his father’s brilliance and his mother’s compassion, serving others in numerous ways throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Dan, his middle daughter, Melissa Lavis, and his wife, Laura. He is survived by his brothers: David, Tim, Ben, and Mike; his children: Michelle Corson, Joshua Boaz, Matthew Sarazin, and Sarah Drinkwater; as well as eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Services will be held at the Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque on April 25, 2026 at 9:30 am.