John Boden

John Brengel Boden, Jr., 82, passed away on December 4, 2024, at his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, with his loving wife Pat by his side. He formerly resided in Delray Beach, Fl.

John was born in the Bronx, New York, but spent most of his childhood in the small New England town of Middle Haddam, Connecticut. Growing up in a small town, John learned from a young age to be creative with his adventures. His early life would serve as the foundation for what would become a lifetime filled with exploration, adventures, and the collection of good people and friends along the way.

At the age of 21, when college was not panning out the way John anticipated, he decided it was time to "straighten out" and joined the US Marine Corps. John gave his all at the USMC boot camp in Parris Island and despite not having a college degree, the USMC recognized his exceptional potential and selected him to become a Marine Cadet (MARCAD). In 1965, at 23, John was commissioned as a Naval Aviator and deployed to Vietnam with the VMO-6 squadron. John was promoted to Captain before leaving Vietnam. For his valor and dedication to the U.S., John received the "Distinguished Flying Cross" along with 35 Air Medals representing over 750 missions. After the USMC straightened John out, he returned to the classroom and graduated from the University of New Haven.

Seeking a new adventure, John quit his job in 1976, sold all of his possessions and set sail for the Bahamas with his wife and two children. They embarked on a year and a half adventure which started in Newport, Rhode Island for the Bicentennial Tall Ships celebration. They continued their journey down the intercoastal waterway, towards south Florida and spent the next year in the Bahamas before returning to Fort Lauderdale and planting roots in South Florida. Later on in his life, John continued to share his love for travel and exploration alongside his wife Pat and their grandchildren by taking each one on a special overseas trip when they turned 11. These trips introduced the grandchildren to diverse cultures and experiences, creating lasting memories they still cherish and reminisce about decades later.

John was a passionate entrepreneur and in 1988, he and Pat, founded Personal Care Managers, a company that pioneered what we know as the geriatric care management industry today. He later launched ElderIssues in 2001, revolutionizing elder care with its groundbreaking online geriatric care management software. His companies were dedicated to guiding families through all aspects of elder care. A nationally recognized expert, John was a respected leader in his field, serving as President of the Florida Guardianship Association, he was an active member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers and the National Guardianship Association and served the Florida Bar's Elder Law Section.

John was a dedicated pillar and advocate for his community, always giving back and making a positive impact on those around him. In May 2024, John was honored with a Legacy Award by the American Association of Caregiving Youth for his advocacy of caregiving youth working at home. He was also a tremendous supporter of The George Snow Scholarship Foundation and its great work in helping support students, as well as a member and advocate for the League of Women Voters.

Up until John's death, he stayed in touch with those who served in the VMO-6 squadron and was an advocate for the Marine Aircraft Group 36 -UK (MAG 36-UK) Bird-18, VMO-6 Project. MAG 36-UK is a living history diorama created to preserve and honor the legacy of the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. The five Brits who founded MAG 36-UK worked closely with John and other VMO-6 veterans to meticulously preserve the squadron's history. John expressed deep gratitude for the dedication of his British "squadron mates" in safeguarding the squadron's legacy. For his final big adventure, he traveled to the UK in 2019 to experience the living history of his squadron firsthand. As an avid writer, John utilized detailed prose to recall his experiences in Vietnam, publishing "Klondike Playboy" in 2010, an autobiographical account of his time in the US Marine Corps.

John's greatest legacy and life's work is the loving family he leaves behind. John and his beloved wife of over 35 years, Pat, were a true testament to the power of love and perseverance. Together, they blended their two families with grace and determination, overcoming challenges and creating a home where everyone felt welcomed and valued. Their shared commitment to building strong, lasting relationships among their children and grandchildren was unwavering. Through patience, open hearts, and hard work, they formed a family united by love, respect, and mutual support which will be carried on by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

John was predeceased by his father, John Brengel Boden, Sr., his mother, Eleanor "Tommy" Baldwin Boden, and his two brothers, Peter Baldwin Boden and Linus Boden. John is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia Brennan Boden; sister-in-law Sue Boden; his children Kathryn Crismond James of Hattiesburg, MS; Dr. Kevin Daniel Crismond (Rachel) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; John Brengel Boden III (Tami) of Boca Raton, FL; Dr. Kara Crismond Taggart (Brian) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; and Caroline Boden Dowling (Kevin) of Fredericksburg, VA; his grandchildren Brittney, Brennan, Lindsey, Alex, Shawn, Kelly, Dani, Miranda, Gavin, and Carson, and 11 great-grandchildren.

It is difficult to summarize the impact of John's tremendous life in a few short paragraphs. He impacted so many, in numerous corners of the world, and in a million tiny moments shared. John's virtuosity, generous spirit, and moral integrity was felt by all those who knew him. Whether it was a neighbor who needed a ride or a grandchild who called for urgent advice, John was ever present. He leaves a legacy of kindness and bravery that has spanned generations and zip codes. To have known John, a bigger-than-life person, is an honor and a lasting gift; we love him and will miss him more than words can tell.

His family invites those whose lives he impacted to join them in honoring and celebrating him on Sunday, March 9 at 5:00 p.m. at The Delray Beach Club (2001 S Ocean Blvd, Delray Beach, FL 33483).

In Lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Association of Caregiving Youth or the George Snow Foundation.

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