Steven John Boynton

On Friday, September 12, 2014, Steven John Boynton was taken from his wife and family at the age of 61. He was born July 12, 1953 in Oroville to John and Gwen Boynton, the third of four children.

He was a life-long resident of Butte and Yuba counties. He received a varied education, being raised on a ranch, attending a one-room school house in Messilla Valley before graduation from Oroville High School in 1971.

The daily chores of ranch life required discipline, dependability and accountability, all of which were reinforced by his parents to establish a foundation for a strong work ethic. He followed his father's footsteps as a professional log truck driver and went on to learn the construction trades, becoming a heavy equipment operator and master mechanic. He was the go-to guy for friends and family for equipment repair and mechanical help.

He spent his final years as a chief operating engineer for Ross Island Sand and Gravel in the Bay Area working on deep-water shipping channel dredging. During his time there he worked and led by example, and mentored younger engineers to pass his knowledge and experience to a new generation. If you wanted a job done Steve could be relied on to get it done right.

Steve and his wife Donna of 33 years enjoyed their time together at home and on many happy excursions on the Feather and Sacramento rivers fishing from their boat, bringing home salmon, striped bass and channel catfish.

Steve will be remembered as a talented and wonderful son, brother, brother-in-law, father, grandfather, uncle and husband. He was always a good friend to those who knew him. He would genuinely appreciate and be overwhelmed by the love and support that has been showed to his wife Donna and all the family.

Steve is preceded in death by his father, John Boynton.

He is survived by his mother Gwen Boynton of Oroville; his wife Donna of Loma Rica; his daughter Alysa Denham and her husband Ryan, granddaughters Delaney and Reece of Redding; and son Ryan of Portland, OR; other survivors include his brother Michael and his wife Francine Boynton of Vancouver, WA; sister Claudia and her husband Kenneth Harlan of Oroville; sister Marsha and husband Paul Knutson of Roseville, and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews. His three dogs Sage, Tinker and Cedar are still awaiting his return home.

A Memorial Service for Steve will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Ramsey Funeral Home, 1175 Robinson St., Oroville, CA. 530-534-3877. Please visit www.RamseyFuneralHomes.com to leave condolences for the family.

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