Elvin Leigh Boyce

Elvin Leigh Boyce, 83, passed away at home on January 5, 2013 surrounded by his family and with the fond wishes of many other family members and friends. If the correct response to a Jeopardy answer was "who is Elvin L. Boyce?", the clue would be obvious but very long: a decent, tender-hearted and loving husband and father, a positive thinker with enlightened views of the world, a punster, a jokester, a dancing fool, a Jeopardy aficionado, not to mention brilliant crossword puzzle solver, an inventive genius (especially in all things "tape"), a patient father, mostly, with his tribe of daughters who thought of him as the handsomest man around, and an all-around fun guy to spend time with. Elvin was that and much more. Elvin was born in Lewisville, Idaho on May 27, 1929, the third child of Clarence and Mildred Gleim Boyce. At 12 years-old, Elvin and his family settled on a farm outside Ontario, Oregon, where he and his siblings helped their father with the farm work, wreaking much havoc on the livestock along the way. He graduated from Weiser High School in Idaho in 1947. He attended the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, but he left to work in Boise, driving a truck for Idaho Creameries, which was fortunate, because he met the love of his life, Bonnie, there. They married on February 25, 1950 in Boise. Elvin joined the Air Force about a year later, serving in Texas, Connecticut, Spokane, Japan, and Portland. He also spent many years in the Idaho and Utah Air National Guard, ending his service with the rank of Captain. Elvin eventually started his own business manufacturing medical supplies, building and perfecting his own machines to produce his products. He ran his business with honesty and integrity and employed many who carry respect for him to this day. He is survived by loving wife, Bonnie Hancock Boyce; doting daughters, Sharon (Shari) Stone, Rebecca (Becky) Laursen (Eric), Elaina (Lanie) Lundgrin; grandchildren, David Stone (Jen), Rachel Stone, Shay Carrillo (David Fredrickson), Clayton Cooke, Erika Lundgrin (Will Tierney), Emma Lundgrin; great-grandchildren, Dylan Stone, Josie Chatterton, Pilar and Mateo Fredrickson. He is preceded in death by daughter, Linda Elaine; mother, Mildred; father, Clarence; sister, Margaret (Margie); brother, Clarence (Lyle). Special thanks to the Salt Lake Regional Hospital ICU staff and Tender Care Hospice for their respectful care and support of Elvin. Memorial contributions can be made to the COPD Foundation. A celebration of Elvin's life will be held later for his many family members and friends.