Boyd Quenten Smith

Boyd Q. Smith - Obit It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Boyd Quenten Smith announces his passing on March 27, 2014 at the age of 93, as a result of complications associated with Alzheimer's disease. Boyd was born on January 29, 1921 in Quimby, IA to Josephine and Rollo Smith. Although Boyd lived his life in a reserved and humble manner, he made an indelible mark on the lives of those who knew him. He was known for his extraordinary generosity, sense of humor, humility and incomparable love of animals. To those of us that knew him well, Boyd was the epitome of the "Gary Cooper" strong, silent and self-reliant type. Raised with modest Midwestern values, Boyd discovered his calling in life as a Navy aviation electrician. His passions in life included tinkering with all things mechanical, woodworking and sports. Boyd was very athletic, excelling as a pitcher in fast pitch softball while in the Navy. Long after hanging up his softball glove, he discovered a passion for tennis after he retired from the navy. Boyd also had a strong love of animals, wild and tame. This love of critters, great (cows) and small (cats, birds and raccoons), began at a very early age and continued throughout his life. Many early photos of Boyd depicted him in the presence of a cat, usually a scruffy looking one of mixed heritage. Boyd was also an extremely generous person - both with his time and with his money. He eagerly gave money to pretty much anyone who asked and offered a helping hand to all those in need of one. And even more admirable, he never expected any payback. Coming of age during WWII, Boyd enlisted in the Navy when he was 18 years old. Interestingly, he couldn't swim and just after enlisting, he sent his mom a note, informing her that since he still can't swim, he was keeping a good hold on the rails when on the deck of the aircraft carrier that he was on at the time. With respect to his earlier mentioned athletic prowess, Boyd became a member of a Navy fast pitch softball team where he quickly excelled as a pitcher. As a matter of fact, he pitched against the vaunted Clearwater Bombers (arguably the best men's fast pitch softball team in the country at the time) in an exhibition game and even though his team lost, Boyd demonstrated his proficiency as a pitcher as he limited the Bombers to only one run. Boyd married the former Mary-Frances Price (nee Grogan) in 1943 and remained married to her for thirty-three years. After serving for 20 years, Boyd retired from the Navy in 1960; he began his Navy career as a non-commissioned aviation electrician and eventually was promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He was offered a chance to attend officer candidate school, but like most enlisted service men at that time, he despised officers, and turned down the offer. While some members of his family weren't too enthralled with the transient nature of military life, Boyd really seemed to really love his Navy experience! In addition to his proficiency as a Navy aviation electrician, Boyd was quite skilled at repairing all things mechanical. He could fix any car problem, no matter how complex. He was also very good at woodworking and one of his creations, a large wood framed chalkboard, is currently mounted in the hallway outside two of his great grand children's bedrooms; Boyd was definitely was a jack-of-all-trades, and unlike most people who could claim this distinction, he was a master of many. After his Navy career ended, Boyd started a lawn care business, which he worked at for several years until he finally landed a job with the U.S. Postal Service, where he worked for 20 years. After retiring from the Navy, he also attended St. Petersburg Junior College, where he graduated with flying colors. In addition to raising the family that he shared with Mary-Frances, Boyd went on to assist in raising his one of his granddaughters, and then at the age of 65, he eagerly lent a helping hand in the raising of his grandson. Boyd's love of animals, especially cats, wild birds and raccoons, seemed to really flourish after his retirement. The cast of cats that shared his life during his retirement years was as diverse in personality and appearance as it was prolific in number. Boyd also developed a passion for tennis later in life and could be regularly seen pedaling his bike with a tennis racquet slung over his shoulder to and from the public tennis courts in Shore Acres. Boyd is survived by his daughters, Patience Summers, and Mary Antoinette "Toni" Kindel; his son, Jeffrey Smith; his ex-wife (Mary-Frances Loos); his sister, Patty Rubalcaba; his grandchildren, Heather Mills, Justine Champion, Sean Summers, and Allison Beall Smith; his four great grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. It is hoped that all those that knew Boyd would remember him the way he was before this mind-robbing disease stole his memories and destroyed his ability to function. Images of Boyd that will be treasured when he was of sound mind and body include pitching for his Navy fast pitch softball team, working on his beloved classic Jaguar, playing with his grandchildren, shooting pool and playing tennis during a 2001 family reunion in North Carolina; and of course, stroking the fur of one of the many cats that curled up on his lap. Hopefully, everyone that knew Boyd will have similar memories that they will be able to treasure.