Rev. Dr. James H. Boice Jr.

1931 - 2021

BOICE, The Rev. Dr. James H., Jr., died December 23, 2020, after a short battle with the COVID-19 virus. He was born April 13, 1931, in Harrisonburg, Va., to Hillyer and Charlotte Yancey Boice. The family moved to Lynchburg, Va., in 1942, where he grew up. He was predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children, Emily Evenson Boice; and also by his second wife, Sally Phillips Boice, whom he married after Emily's death. His sister, Charlotte B. Dresser also predeceased him. He is survived by his son, James H. Boice III (Christine) and their children, Michael, Stephanie, Marissa and Nathan Boice. He is also surved by his daughter, Elizabeth Boice Goetz, and her children, Lydia Hall Schaub, Addie Hall and E.J. Hall. He is further survived by his brother, Judge William G. Boice.

He was a 1952 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Randolph-Macon College, where he was named by the college's president as the Outstanding Graduate of that year, and from which college he later received an honorary doctorate degree. Thereafter, he graduated from Yale University Divinity School in 1955. His first appointment in the United Methodist Church was to RMC as Director of Religious Activities. Thereafter, he served pastorates in the Virginia Conference of the UMC in Accomac, Stanleytown, Onancock, Petersburg, Winchester, Ashland, Centenary Richmond and as Superintendent of the Eastern Shore District.

Jim was a devoted husband to both of his wives, seeing to their every need with loving care for as long as he could. He had an unwavering love for, and pride in, all his children and grandchildren. He felt called to be a minister and devote his life to the church at the age of 12. That never changed and he fulfilled that call faithfully to the end. He was blessed with the heart of a servant.

He loved gardening and sailing his little sail boat on the Chesapeake Bay, and doing all things family oriented. His was a life well lived. Rest in peace good and faithful servant.

Due to COVID-19, the family will have a service at a later date.