Richard Seth Boykin

Richard Seth Boykin, 58, of Chesapeake, died suddenly on October 24, 2024.
Seth was born on September 27, 1966 in Denver and grew up in Virginia. After his 1984 graduation from Louisa County High School, he enlisted in the Navy and served in the fighting construction battalion known as the Seabees. Duty stations took him to Guantanamo Bay, Okinawa, NAS Adak, AK and Port Hueneme, CA.
Once honorably discharged, he landed in Portsmouth near family and friends. There, he welcomed daughter Jackie into the world in June of 1990.
Having worked in auction houses since he was 12 under the direction of mentor and second father Dwight Neal, Seth returned to side-work in the local auction scene, fostering his love of antiques and maritime memorabilia. In his full-time career, he spent over 25 years with Hampton Rubber, becoming an expert in a niche industry supporting the Atlantic Fleet with all rubber and hydraulic hose needs. An initial apprehensive leap to industry competitor, Pirtek, as the Virginia Beach Shop Supervisor in 2023, brought about renewed life and passion for his profession. With no desire for idle hands, he enjoyed picking up night and weekend shifts at Ollie's.
His personal life was highlighted by his unconditional love for family and friends. He took absolute pleasure in seeing those around him happy and healthy; both physically and spiritually.
Joys of his younger life included time spent with cousin Kelly and the Neal family, along with hunting, fishing and roadtrips with his father Flip. He took pride in helping to raise his younger brother Philip, embarrassing him at every opportunity but also teaching respect and kindness as well as an appreciation for marksmanship and safety, cinematic history, Ronald Reagan and patriotism.
Recent years were filled with love and affection for his granddaughter and nieces. He gave them his undivided attention, remaining ever-present in the moment listening to their stories, playing games, building ginger bread houses, offering advice, taking them to movies, and introducing Christ. He was a lover of chess and scrabble. He was a daily bible reader. Additionally, the congregation of Temple Baptist Church had become a focal point in his life. From this affiliation, grew numerous relationships he cherished and left many in the church with fond and lasting memories that will hopefully soon outweigh their momentary sorrow.
Seth was preceded in death by his father, Philip "Flip" Boykin Jr., Dwight and Peggy Neal, grandparents Eleanor Drewry Dolan (husband Dick), Cicero Drewry, Philip and Elisabeth Boykin Sr., Aunt Sherri Cooper (Kenneth), Aunts Jill Layne, Linda Dolan, Miriam Kliment (Josef), and cousin Michael Dolan.
Surviving to carry on his stories of love and humor are his daughter Jacquelin Anastasia Boykin, granddaughter Layla Parker, mother Rhonda Kaye Cook, brothers and sisters Philip Boykin, Aaron Neal, Stephanie Neal Niavez, Wayne Johnson, Susan Gregory, and Dawn Fansler. Sister Inlaw Stefanie Boykin, nieces Berlin, Scarlett and Alaina Boykin, stepmother Becky Pickral, Uncles Hugh Dolan (Carolyn), Mark Dolan, Scott Dolan, Craig Drewry and Glenn Drewry (Tracy), Ted Boykin (Louise), Ellen Rhodes, Betsy Zellers (Steve), dear friends Kenny and Susie Satcher, along with many cousins and friends.