Tom Boyd Obituary

Tom Boyd Okemos Tom Boyd died July 20, 2009, as the result of a motorcycle accident. He was born November 1, 1944 in Lansing, MI. His passion for building and racing vintage motorcycles has now been taken to a greater level. A crane operator for 37 years he retired in 2001 from the Operating Engineers #324. He was also a member of the Okemos Masonic Lodge # 252. He enjoyed teaching his six grandchildren how to ride bikes as well as racing with his AHRMA buddies, daily trips to Slicks Great Lakes Salvage and taking nightly walks with his beloved dog Shadow. Tom is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sandy; children, Teresa (Newton), Jeffrey (Angela), and Karinne Boyd; six grandchildren; four great- grandchildren; sister, Johonna; and brother, Bob. The family will receive friends and family Friday, July 24 from noon until 2 p.m. at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing. Funeral visitation will be held Saturday, July 25 at 2 p.m. prior to his tribute at 4 p.m. Per Tom's wishes his body will be cremated. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family to help with medical expenses or to the AHRMA benevolent fund.

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Published by Lansing State Journal on Jul. 23, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Tom Boyd

13 Entries

Gary Woodling

August 10, 2009

Our Thoughts and Prayers for Tom and his family. I have heard about Tom for years and finally met hem last year at the ISDTRR. A real class act.

from a fellow Husky enthusiast,

Deborah Davis [Jeffery]

August 9, 2009

I'm sorry to hear of the loss of Tom, he will be missed by many in our family.

Eugene "Gene" Mitchell

July 30, 2009

My condolences go out to the Boyd family and friends for their loss of Tom. Tom was a friend and I will surely mis seeing him on earth! I first met Tom at the Mid-Ohio Vintage Motorcycle Days event years ago and immediately I knew he was a real genuinely honest human being. Tom shared his knowledge of vintage motorcycles and his racing skills with real enthusiasm to anyone who approached him. There are but a few racers that really impressed me and Tom was at the top of the list. It was at the same time a great feeling and a sad feeling for me to see so many of Tom's friends flowing in to Tom's vendor spot memorial set up in his honor at Mid-Ohio Vintage Motorcycle Days to pay their respects. Tom may be gone now but he will never be forgotten.

Eugene "Gene" Mitchell
Kingsport, TN.

Jeffrey Clark

July 28, 2009

To the Boyd family, Tom was a good friend of mine and we worked together on the Husky tank graphics and stuff for his restoration work, and enjoyed spending time w/ Tom at the AHRMA races. I along w/ my family were at Log Road when Tom crashed, and we want your family to know how deeply sorry we are, and know, thru out my 37 years of racing, of the potential dangers that are present for us all. We will miss Tom and pray for you in this difficult time. Godspeed Tom. - Jeff Clark and Family - Badbrush Motosports Racing

Pam Bast

July 27, 2009

My condolence goes out to the Tom Boyd family. Although I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Tom, it is always a tragedy to lose a loved one. God bless.

John Thompson

July 27, 2009

Godspeed Tom. I am one of the many Husqvarna enthusiasts that met Tom through his passion for vintage racing. My prayers are with the family, and I am sure that many others will feel the sense of loss to our community.

Gloria Alexander

July 25, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Tom will be missed by all.

Deb Green-Pinney

July 24, 2009

Trevor & Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May the memories you hold in your heart give you comfort and strength at this sad time. I know you will dearly miss your Grandpa B.
Grandma Green & Grandpa Bill

Dick Robbins

July 24, 2009

To the Tom Boyd Family: I met Tom, for the first time, on July ll at the Vintage Race at Log Road. After spending an hour with him I felt like I had known him forever. His love of Huskys and racing was very similar to mine so we had a lot in common. As I spoke with other riders they all knew him and spoke highly of his mechanical and riding abilities. May the tracks in heaven be long, smooth, lush, and green. I know he will be enjoying every minute of it. My condolences to his family and friends. Dick Robbins

July 23, 2009

I am "the other" Tom Boyd, also known as Peoria Tom. I first met Tom at least a dozen years ago at Wapella, Il., a regional MX. We talked of our Scottish heritage, and Masonic affilliations. As my health took me farther away from competitive MX, Tom seemed to get better with age. My prayers and condolences to his family and friends. May he forever rest in that glorious realm, "that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens".
God Bless,
"Peoria" Tom Boyd

Larry Towning

July 23, 2009

Dear Boyd family.
I am one of the multitudes of vintage Husky racers who Tom helped and inspired in many ways. I bought a couple of bikes from him, and spent a day with him at his house where he taught me the intricacies of rebuilding a motor. I also had the pleasure of sharing quite a few beers with him a few evenings at our ahrma racing events. He was the ultimate gentleman racer.
I know he will be missed by his family and all who met him through motorcycling. He truly was "the real deal" and bigger than life as others have mentioned. My sincere condolences to is wife and family who I know he loved and talked about all of the time.... Godspeed Tom.

Dale Deveau

July 23, 2009

Dear Boyd family,
My friend Dick Ingersoll told me about what happened. Tom sold me my first bike in 1974. A Suzuki TS90. I was 13, and what an impression Tom & his buddies had on us younger kids. Tom, Dick, me, his daughter (Theresa?), & a bunch of others used to go ice racing every weeekend on Lake Lansing. What a blast that was. I remember Tom from back then as being bigger than life. And what a rider. Surely there are many people like me that have been impacted by Tom many years ago, who would also like to extend their condolences. I'm sorry for your loss.

John Shaver

July 23, 2009

As I am retired now, I have many good memories of working on jobs with Tom and considered him one of the best crane operators I had the opportunity to work with. So sorry to hear of your loss. He will be missed.

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