James Emmet Boyd

James (Jim) Emmet Boyd passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Emmett, ID. Jim was born on March 25,1943, in Hope, Arkansas. Jim’s family moved to Eureka, CA in 1955.  He was active in band in Junior and Senior High school, then in his senior year, he switched from band to choir, where he was the president of choir. He also ran track in high school, then went on to race in various local long-distance races throughout his life.

Jim graduated from Eureka High School in 1961. He received an Associate of Arts from College of the Redwoods and briefly attended Cal Poly University for engineering.

Jim married Linda Claire (Ripley) Durant on June 10, 1961, and they shared 49 years of marriage until her passing. Jim subsequently married Ivey Lee Bryant on May 4, 2012, and they shared 9 years together until her passing.

Jim worked at Simpson Plywood Mill, Humboldt Fire District #1, Redwood Acres Fairgrounds and Caltrans District #1 and retired from Caltrans in 1998. Jim was a loving and devoted husband, father, papa, and friend. His proudest moments were meeting his wife Linda, singing with his brother Dean at the Miss Humboldt Pageant, and rebuilding his 1937 Chevy. Jim's achievements included running the Avenue of the Giants Marathon in 1981, with a finish time of 3 hrs., 18 min., 11 secs., earning a 25-year award from Caltrans, being a 54-year member of Elks Lodge #652, and a member of the Methodist Church, where he sang tenor in the choir.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Volmer Boyd and Geneva Boyd, his wife Linda Boyd, his wife Ivey Bryant-Boyd, his brothers Dean Boyd, Wayne Boyd, and Perry Boyd, his granddaughter Hannah Boyd and his great-grandson Maximus Buck. His memories will be carried by his children Sherri Olson and James K. Boyd, grandchildren Amanda Christensen, Amelia Buck, Erica Gillam and Jocelyn Boyd, and great-grandchildren Joshua Lamberson-Adams, Devany Christensen, Alexis Buck, Adelynn Christensen, Joanna Buck, and Sterling Gillam. 

We wish to thank all our family and friends for the many prayers, gestures of love and support you provided to us during this difficult time.

There will be a memorial service Friday, July 17, 2026, at 2:00 PM, at Ocean View Cemetery in Eureka, CA, followed by Jim’s interment, along with Linda Boyd and Hannah Boyd, at the same location, where you are welcome to attend.

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