John Q. Boyce, age 85, of Helena passed away on Monday, December 2, 2013. John Quincy Boyce was born at home to Archie Boyce and Evelyn Sloan on January 11, 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri.
On April 10, 1046 he was drafted into the army, and honorably served in Washington, DC as an ambulance driver.
From childhood John always had a love for big rig trucks, and his dream of being a truck driver came true. He delivered many products throughout the United States and into Canada.
On February 8, 1948 he married Dorothy M. Worley in California. They were blessed with 3 daughters and 1 son; Vickie, Kathy, Donna and Kenny. As a big rig owner/operator or as a driver, John logged millions and millions of miles in support of his family.
In 1977 John and his family moved to Montana where he enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping with family and friends. He loved telling stories or sharing an occasional joke, to put a smile on someone’s face or to teach them about life through his experiences.
John was a good father, and great friend to many. He was always a gentle man with traditional values and honor. He was always there for those in need of help on the road or in life.
John was very tender hearted and would do anything for a friend or family member. He was always willing to have a beer with a friend at the local pub.
In 1987 John and Sally Jordan were married and with that union he helped raise her 3 children, Ginger, Dean, and Mickey in Montana where he remained until his death on December 2, 2013.
For 20 plus years John drove for Dick Irvin Trucking. After he retired from Dick Irvin, he “semi”-retired with Diamond Construction and R&R Diesel. Childhood friends of the kids, still look for big rigs to see if John’s driving them!
John is survived by his wife Sally Boyce of Helena, his son Kenny Boyce of California, daughters Kathy (Tim) Hamner of California and Donna Bolts of Texas, his stepdaughter Ginger Parsons of Pony, stepson Dean Wilkinson of Three Forks, and stepdaughter Mickey (Dru) Zeiger of Three Forks. He enjoyed his 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
John will be missed but not forgotten.
A viewing will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 9th at Retz Funeral Home followed by a funeral at 1:00 p.m. at Retz. Burial with Military Honors will follow the funeral at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison. A reception will be held after the burial at the Montana Nugget Casino, 612 Euclid Ave. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of John.
Service Schedule
Viewing
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Monday December 9, 2013
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Monday December 9, 2013
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
After the service
Monday December 9, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Rd.
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
Reception
After the burial
Monday December 9, 2013
Montana Nugget Casino
612 Euclid Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Viewing
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Monday December 9, 2013
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Monday December 9, 2013
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
After the service
Monday December 9, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Rd.
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
Reception
After the burial
Monday December 9, 2013
Montana Nugget Casino
612 Euclid Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Share
Vonnie Jenkins says
Sally & Family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. John was such a great & caring person. He was so fun to be around and had a smile that could make your day. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Hugs,
Vonnie
Susan & Rich Proul says
Sally & Family,
We are saddened to hear about John’s passing. He was a great person and we are lucky to have had him as a friend. He will be missed in our shop and by all our family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mark Cole says
Dear Sally & Family:
All of us at Dick Irvin, Inc. feel fortunate to have had John Boyce in our lives. He was not only an exceptional driver, but also a loyal, trusted friend. There are so many memories of John and his thoughtful caring and that little smile with its dry sense of humor. I have known many drivers and employees of this industry and none were more caring for their fellow workers than John. He was an exception in every sense of the word and I am proud to call him my friend.
Sincerely
Mark Cole
Red and Dona Jordan say: says
Dear Sally, Ginger, Dean and Mickey,
We have always felt that John was the best thing that ever happened to all of you. He brought so much love and happiness to your family and we know that he will be dearly missed by all. We were fortunate to have known John since he joined this family and couldn’t have asked for a kinder, more caring brother-in-law. RIP John.
With Our Love,
Red and Dona
Daughter, Kathy & Son-in-Law, Tim Hamner says
To the Boyce Family, our Dad was such the strong pillar…a true John Wayne type growing up. Dad guided us with strict morals and principles, but always with a loving heart!! We shared so many wonderful moments & vacations & laughter together!! Even though, I married my childhood sweetheart & remained in CA when my parents moved to MT in 1977, our love was always with You!! As now, a parent and a grandparent, I’m so thankful for the loving & solid upbringing he provided me and my brother and sisters. It’s apparent that our dad touched many others in the same way! Dad’s smile and his sense of humor was one of his greatest gifts!! Dad, we’ll miss you, but we’ll be joined again in Heaven! Until then, Kathy & Tim & Family
"KW" Boyce says
I will miss my dad and his presence in my life. I had a tremendous amount of respect for him growing up and into adulthood, it was always very important to me not disappoint him and to make him proud. I think a lot of this came from the amount of respect I saw that others had for my dad and the respect he showed in return. He was a good man and worked hard his whole life. All the years driving the trucks he would rather lay across the steering wheel for a couple hours rest, than get in the sleeper for 8 hours of sleep – something he and I would joke about all the time… My dad was always happy and content, with a great sense of humor – after all who would name their son after a truck? My dad wanted my initials to be “KW” after Kenworth trucks so he named me Kenneth Wayne….
I know we will all miss him, his stories, jokes and that sparkle of a grin. I have piece in knowing that I will see him again. A week before his passing, I spent 5 days visiting with him and once again shared the hope we have in life after death through Jesus Christ who died for our sins on the cross. My dad believed and accepted this free gift while I was there holding his hand. I was already proud of my dad, but now I am not only proud of him and who he was as a man, but at peace in knowing that I will see him again.
Brother Harold says
Brother I will miss you. John was more than just a brother. We grew up with out a father in the home. When we came to California I wanted a paper route and he bought me a bicycle. He also bought me my first car. I looked up to him. he was a good brother and friend.
I’m thankful and content and at peace knowing we will be together again.
Love and hugs,
Harold Boyce and family
Nephew Steve Boyce says
Uncle John you will be missed, your spirit will be with me forever. When I here Johnny Cash and Country Music I think of you, When I see the Big Rigs on the road I think of you. You were the first one up at our Boyce’s Family Reunion with a cup of coffee in your hand starting the day off with a story and a joke, when I saw that smile I always new it was going to be a good one. I will never for the time on my Harley coming from Sturgis when I met Uncle John at the Cats Paw with his crew, it was the best time I ever had! Your Legacy will live on through Kenny, Kathy, and Donna. I will see you again, Love, Steve
Granddaughter, Jamie (Vickie's daughter) and Husband Paulson, Great Grandsons Kaden and Dylan Palmer says
It’s always hard to say goodbye to our loved ones, but my Grandfathers spirit will live on through all of us. I have many fond memories of Grandpa and Sally visiting us in Kalispell, MT when I was a kid. Camping trips at Yellow Bay on Flathead Lake, fishing from the docks, lunches at Wayfares State Park are just a few. My sister and I loved it when Grandpa would get to stop in Kalispell on his way through town on one of his road trips. He’d always let us climb up into his big rig and play in the sleeper cab. He was always so happy to come see us, and we were always thrilled to see him. Sitting us on his lap while he pretending to play the “Banjo” always made us giggle uncontrollably, which in turn would put a huge smile full of laughter on my Grandpa’s face. I am forever grateful for the memories I have with my Grandpa, and I am so glad I got to spend a little time with him before he passed. I pray that my Mom and Grandpa are reunited in heaven, and are now watching over us together.
Love, Jamie
Daughter, Kathy & Son-in-Law, Tim Hamner says
Our daughter, Heather was expecting her 2nd baby due to deliver January 15, 2014. When I visited Dad in November, I told him that our family was growing in numbers & that his granddaughter was due to deliver his great-grandbaby close to his birthday, January 11th! I joked with Dad about it being born on His special day, and he just smiled, and said, ‘that would be just great!’
Well, we got the call Saturday, January 11th morning, and sure enough the baby arrived at 10:48AM!! This is such a witness to our God’s Greatness, Goodness & His Glory!! On January 11th we will forever honor our beloved Dad & celebrate the arrival of “Brooke Franscioni”, 6lbs-9oz, 20″ to the ‘BOYCE’ clan! Thanks Dad, it started with You!! Love, Kath & Tim & Family