BOYD, JACK Z.

Jack Zemmy Boyd, age 91, died on March 26, 2014 in Temple, Texas. He was born on May 12, 1922 in Jones County, Texas to James Boyd and Erna Sedberry. In his youth he worked as a delivery boy for a pharmacy and later on a small dairy farm and the rice fields loading rice on the wagons. In 1940, at the age of seventeen, Jack joined the United States Marine Corps, after his mother signed a waiver allowing him to do so. After spending nine months serving in Iceland, Jack was transferred to the South Pacific after the attack on Pearl Harbor. During World War II he truly excelled at being a Marine. He was one of the first volunteers for the newly formed Carlson’s Raiders doing advanced reconnaissance work. He served valiantly on the Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima earning two Silver Stars for gallantry in action and two Purple Hearts for being wounded in action. Jack was also credited with the downing of a Japanese Zero plane while he was en route in a landing boat to join his outfit in the South Pacific. He earned the rank of sergeant during his seven years in the Marine Corps. After being discharged from the Marine Corps, Jack worked as a welder and ironworker for many years. He was a member of the Twin City Ironworkers Union in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jack was always willing to help his friends when asked. He will be deeply missed by his children Jack Z. Boyd, Jr. of Crowley, TX; Myra L. Davenport of Burleson, TX ; Merry K. Peacock of Hillsboro, TX and James D. Boyd of Euless, TX; nine grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; sister Adeline Thompson of Houston, TX along with thirty-two nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 in Brown’s Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Interment with Military Honors will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2014.