Joseph R. Boyd

1949 - 2021

Joseph R. Boyd

Tallahassee - …no one had a better sense of self.

Joseph R. Boyd passed into eternal peace suddenly on January 6, 2021, with his wife of 41 years by his side.

Joe was born in Miami, Florida on June 26, 1949 to Joseph A. Boyd, Jr. and Anilouise Striping Boyd. He was one of five children: Joanne, Betty Jean, Jim, and Jane. The Boyd clan was as close as a family could be—bound by mutual love, respect, and joviality.

In good times or bad, Joe was always ready with a calming quip. His family and friends knew they could count on him for an atmosphere of fun and laughter. He worked hard, played hard, and loved with all his heart.

He achieved many goals in his life, but the force that drove him was family, friends, and his love of the law. Over the last year he worked tirelessly to keep himself, his wife, family, friends, staff, and clients safe from the pandemic. He was just as determined to continue practicing law. Adapting to new technologies as he did so often in his career, he handled one of the first multi-day family law trials in Tallahassee using Zoom. Joe did not die of this heartbreaking disease but in some way was a casualty. He always said, "Stay safe and believe in science."

Joe started his career on the staff of the Judiciary Committee of the Florida House of Representatives from 1972-75. He was active with the Florida Bar for decades. As one of the only lawyers in Florida who was Board Certified as an expert in both Real Estate Law and Marital & Family Law, Joe was especially proud of his time on the Florida Bar's Board of Legal Specialization & Education, as a liaison to the Real Estate Certification Committee, and as a charter member on the Florida Family Law Rules Committee. He had been General Counsel to the Tallahassee Board of Realtors for over 30 years.

Joe loved the law and loved being an attorney. He considered the law a craft—a skill to be honed, like a woodcarver works with wood. He respected the law and the people he worked with throughout his career. Joe set his eyes on the law when he was young. He aimed to follow in his father's footsteps. He wanted to be a champion for clients in courtrooms and boardrooms alike. To those who loved and worked with him, the consensus is he succeeded beautifully.

Joe is survived by his wife, Sue; sons, Joseph R. Boyd, Jr. (Carrie) of Tallahassee and Jonathan W. Boyd (Shannon) of Largo, FL; grandchildren, Katherine R. Boyd and Victoria L. Boyd of Tallahassee, Gabriel W. Boyd of Peninsula, OH, Ethan Morrison of Granbury, TX and 9 month-old great-granddaughter, Violet. He had a special love for his cat Cindy who is still calling him and waiting.

Survivors also include his sisters, Betty Jean Jala (Dave) of Hoschton, GA and Jane Boyd Ohlin (John) of Tallahassee, FL, and brother, Jim Boyd (Laure) of The Villages, FL. The uncle (the funny, mischievous one) to nephews and nieces, James Goldman, Tom Goldman, Jason Jala, Joanne Jala Barnett, Stacy Boyd, Lindsay Rhodus, J.P. Bell, Cameron Ohlin and Ryan Ohlin.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Joseph A. Boyd, Jr and Anilouise (Miss Ann) Striping Boyd, his sister, Joanne Boyd Goldman, his nephew, Matthew Boyd as well as his grandparents Joseph A. Boyd and Esther Puckett Boyd and John R. Stripling and Estelle Greene Stripling.

The family would like to give a special thanks to emergency medical responders and the emergency trauma unit at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare who tried so hard to keep him with us.

The family would like to pay special tribute to the friends who have helped Joe throughout his life and are now helping his heartbroken wife, Sue: Dr. Rick Damron (retired); James and Mary Rudnick; Joe and Leslie Serpico; and so many more friends, former clients, and colleagues in the legal community that have reached out during this sad time.

There will be a private family graveside service for Joe on January 13, 2021. The family will honor Joe's dedication to keep his loved ones safe by following the CDC's guidelines during this time of mourning. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date, when all who loved him can meet in person.

In lieu of flowers, Joe would have preferred that donations be made, if desired, to one of his favorite charities: Shriners Hospital for Children c/o Marzuq Shrine Temple,1805 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32303; Alzheimer's Project, Inc.,301 E. Tharpe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303 and Leon County Humane Society, 413 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312.

Rocky Bevis and Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) are assisting the Boyd family with their arrangements.