John Dudley Boyden

John Dudley Boyden of Lovington, New Mexico, 74 years old, passed away on Monday, February 26, 2024. He was the sixth of seven children of Henry Blakeslee and Josephine Duree Boyden, born on February 7, 1950, in Lincoln, Nebraska. John was pre-deceased by his parents; brothers Gene, Lee, Marc and Henry Blakeslee III and sister Evie; and is survived by his older brother Ernest Duree Boyden.

John was a teacher, having taught elementary and secondary levels; he was a Title I counselor and a Special Education teacher for years with the Hobbs Schools.

John loved to read and write, having self-published two novels. He reveled in acting at Hobbs Community Playhouse and portraying St. Nicholas for the children at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Hobbs. He enjoyed playing chess at the local chess club, and eating out at restaurants.

He met Melanie Holland at the Episcopal church in Portales, New Mexico, and they spent most of the next 40 years together.

John leaves behind his wife Melanie Jean of the home; four children, John Allen Blakeslee (Jay) Boyden of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kathryn Duree Boyden (Lorenzo Castaneda) of Springdale, Arkansas, Karen Cameron Phelps of Talent, Oregon, and Daniel Eric Frost Boyden of Austin, Texas; three grandchildren, Calvin Eric Boyden Walker, Alexandra Sophia Boyden Walker, Edith Sparrow Phelps; and numerous nieces and nephews.