Nurseryman, developer James Boyd dies at 89
|
During his years as a businessman, Boyd was known to quietly serve his community by making generous gifts. He was instrumental in the development of Mt. View Industrial Park and the Westwood and Country Club subdivisions.
An Irving College native, the son of Fernando C. (F.C.) and Sarah Jane Boyd, he was associated with his father and brothers in the nursery business from his youth. Following his graduation from Freed-Hardeman College in 1935 and his marriage to his wife Alene Davis Boyd in 1941, Boyd served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1942-45.
One of his first assignments in the service was for special service landscape work under General F.W. Manley at Camp Rucker, Ala. The fruit of their work can still be seen today at the fort. He went on to serve at Camp Sibert and later Camp Forrest near Tullahoma where he was in charge of German prisoners of war.
Following the war, the Boyd family lived in Terrell and Arlington, Texas from 1950-54 where he operated a wholesale nursery. Boyd co-established Globe Nurseries, a retail mail order business, along with his brother, Bob, in 1948.
Boyd became sales manager at Boyd Nursery upon his return to McMinnville in 1954 and the following year moved to Westwood 6th Avenue where he resided until his death. In 1973, Boyd donated hundreds of azaleas to the Tennessee Botanical Gardens and Fine Arts Center at Cheekwood in memory of his father F.C. Boyd Sr.
Boyd and his brothers retired for two years after selling Boyd Nursery Company to Harvest Farms Limited Partnership but returned to the business two years later in 1976 when they began the new Boyd Nursery. Boyd was named Outstanding Business Alumnus of the Year at Freed-Hardeman in 1989.
Boyd Nursery, founded by J.H.H. Boyd marked its 100th anniversary in 1987. Boyd continued work with his brothers in the nursery until Clark’s death in 1995 and Henry’s passing in 2001. The nursery closed in 2001.
His assistance was especially noted in his support of Christian education. He was a member of Westwood Church of Christ.
“He was a real big supporter of Christian education,” said Boyd Christian School president C.N. Womack. “He was a great supporter of the school and education in particular.”
The school is named for his father, F.C. Boyd.
“He was very faithful to his church and education,” Womack said. “He was a real upstanding citizen.”
His involvement in education extended to serving on the McMinnville Board of Education from 1958-61. During his term, Boyd served as secretary, vice chairman and chairman of the board.