John Christie Boyd Obituary (2024)

John C. (Christie) Boyd John was born on May 31, 1949 to John H (Jack) Boyd and Margaret Jean (Christie) Boyd, in Ellensburg, WA. He was the second son, with older brother George Robert Boyd and younger brothers, Hugh David Boyd and James Leroy Boyd. The family moved to the Wenas Valley in 1955, where Jack and Jean purchased a ranch, which they farmed until Jack's death in 1987. John graduated from Selah High School in 1967 and attended Yakima Valley Community College from 1968-1970. After college, he worked several different types of jobs until he found his niche with the Washington State Department of Agriculture. He was trained as a fruit inspector and horticulturist and worked his way through the ranks over his 40-year career with the state, retiring as the Field Operations Manager - Fruit Division, in 2009. During his career with the state, he was transferred from Yakima to Mt. Vernon, to Spokane, to Pasco, and finally back to Yakima in 1983. In 1972, John married his true soulmate, Linda (Leake) in Selah. For the next 52 years they walked hand in hand through all storms and fair weather, every opportunity and challenge. There was nothing they didn't tackle together. They exemplified what marriage and partnership are supposed to look like no matter what life threw at them. They raised 5 children - Sean Boyd (Sarah) of Spokane, Ryan Boyd (Bridgett) of Selah, Jason Boyd of Selah, Kristi Delancy (Kevin) of Pasco, and Justin (Chelsy) of Colville, and 14 grandchildren. John and Linda built their home on 20 acres on the original Boyd Ranch in the Wenas Valley in 1983, where John farmed until he retired from farming in 2017, when he sold the remaining ranch to 2 of his boys. John was proud to be able to see the ranch continue into the next generation of the Boyd family. John was a John Deere fan and collector. It could be said farming was as much a part of John as his hands. He was also a student of WWII history. If he wasn't watching a documentary on WWII, he likely had a book about it on his bedside table. But, most notably, John was a family man. He was a devoted husband to Linda and was invested in all of his children's lives. He always wanted to know what was new, how was work, what were the grandkids doing, how were the spouses? He also derived great joy from his Australian Shepherd, Gus. John had an unforgettable personality, always quick to tease those he knew well, to elicit a reaction. If you found yourself on the receiving end of his wit, you can be sure he held you in high regard. He has left a mark that will never fade and will be missed dearly. John is preceded in death by his parents Jack and Jean Boyd, brothers George and Hugh, Uncle Wallace Boyd & Aunt Dorothy, Uncle Hugh Boyd & Aunt Vic and Cousin Mary Barton. He is survived by his loving wife Linda, brother James, children Sean (Sarah), Ryan (Bridgett), Jason, Kristi (Kevin), and Justin (Chelsy), and grandchildren Dane, Coby, Leah, Abiney, Laney, Megan, Ally, Connor, Hailey, Brayden, Deklan, Rylan, Wyatt, and Gracey. Not to mention numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, inlaws, and all others whose lives he touched. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00AM on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at Shaw and Sons Funeral Home (201 N 2nd Street, Yakima, WA).