James Thomas Boyd

James (Jim) Thomas Boyd James (Jim) Thomas Boyd died September 22, 2007, in his home on the ranch that he loved. built. He was born November 6, 1939, to Sally and Stanley Boyd in Lampassas, TX. He began his 35 year education career as a teacher, coach and later administrator in the Fredericksburg Independent School District. After receiving his Doctorate in Education, he served as Professor, then Chairman of the Education Department, and finally Dean of the College of Education and Fine Arts at Tarleton State University. He ended his career by serving as President of Weatherford College for five and a half years. He was the recipient of many awards honoring his teaching and leadership accomplishments, including the Tarleton State University Distinguished Teaching Award and the George H. Brownlee Memorial Leadership Award. Jim initiated Tarleton's "Effective School Project" which evolved into one of the nations longest running school improvement ventures. Recently the Texas A&M Board of Regents honored Jim by re-naming this program the "Dr. Jim Boyd Effective Schools Project." After retirement from his career in education, he authored the novel Companions of the Blest and the soon to be published Lessons from Life. The latter chronicles his struggle with the disease ALS and passes to his grandchildren some of the wisdom gleaned from a life well lived. Jim and his wife Veleda spent the last nine years on the family ranch in Mason County. Having a deep love for the land, he spent many happy hours clearing brush and restoring native grasses. Jim was blessed by the love of his wife, Veleda, who was his best friend and companion for 46 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Jeffrey Boyd, his wife Jennifer of Weatherford, Texas, and Chad Boyd and his wife Amy Smith of Burns, Oregon, as well as four grandchildren, Christian, Mariah, Thomas, and Elisabeth Rose. Also surviving are his brother Larry Boyd and wife Sue of Lake Buchanan and his sister Patricia Taylor and her husband Hap of Georgetown. The family will greet friends on Wednesday, September 26th from 5:00 p.m. till 6:00 p.m. in the chapel of the Schaetter Funeral Home, Fredericksburg. Memorial service will be held on Friday, September 28th at 4:00 p.m. in the Hilda United Methodist Church, F.M. 783 and Loeffler Lane, Hilda Texas in Mason County with the Rev. John Quigley officiating. For those who so desire memorials can be made to: The ALS Association; the Dr. Jim T. Boyd Leadership Scholarship at Weatherford College, Weatherford TX; the Sally Boyd Scholarship at Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX; Hill Country Memorial Hospice, or the Hilda United Methodist Church, Hilda, TX. Or to the charity of your choice. Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.schaetter.com Arrangements under the direction of the Schaetter Funeral Home, Fredericksburg.