Boyd Close

1926 - 2013

Boyd Close



Boyd W. Close, 86, a longtime resident of Perry Fl, passed away on January 25, 2013 in Wakulla County.

Mr. Close was born Feb. 4, 1926 to Mr. Karl (Charles) Close and Mrs. Lela (Norton) Close in Big Bear Beach,

Fl. He grew up in Lakeport, Fl and joined the U.S. Navy after graduating from Moore Haven High School. A veteran of

WWII, he studied forestry at the University of Florida, graduating in 1949. He worked for the state of Florida

as a forester for a short time before going to work for Proctor & Gamble, where he retired after 34 years. He was a leader in the field of forestry, at one point managing over 1,000,000 acres of forest land, more than any other individual in the state of Florida at the time. He lived a life of service and integrity and gave freely of his time to others.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Crawfordville, Fl. In Perry he was an active member of the First Baptist Church and the Florida Forestry Association. He also served on the boards of the Children's Home Society, the Buckeye Federal Credit Union, Aucilla Christian Academy, Suwannee River Water Management District, Doctors Memorial Hospital, and the Florida Trail Association. He was active for many years in the Boy

Scouts of America, volunteering as a Scout Master. He is preceded in death by his first wife of 38 years, Martha Kate Close. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Louise Young Close of Crawfordville; son Bert Close (Janeen) of Peachtree City, Ga.; daughter Patricia Barton (Patrick) of Peachtree City, Ga.; step daughters Theresa Hernandez (Louis) of Crawfordville, and Jennie Barnes of Perry; sister Mildred Reynolds (Lou) of Baton Rouge, La. Also surviving him are 2 grandchildren, 8 step grandchildren, 8 step great grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Perry on Monday, January 28, 2013 at 2:00 pm with Rev. David Fell officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 pm on Monday up until the time of

the service. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery immediately after the service. All arrangements are under the

care of Joe P. Burns Funeral Home in Perry. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the

Children's Home Society of Florida at www.chsfl.org.