Obituary for Erle Byron Boyer
Byron Boyer, 91, died April 30, 2021 at his Cherokee Park home, surrounded by his family. Though his body weakened, his mind was strong to the end.
Byron was born October 4, 1929 in Campbellsburg, KY, to Ruth Campbell Jeffries and Erle Hamilton Boyer. Byron’s older brother Ralph predeceased him.
Byron’s family moved to the Crescent Hill area of Louisville when he was 4, and though Louisville was his home, he maintained affectionate ties to Henry County, and his High Crossing Farm. Byron was a graduate of Male High School (cum laude, 1947) and The University of Louisville; also attending Georgia Tech.
Byron placed his faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to fully atone for his sins. After growing up in Crescent Hill Baptist Church, Byron was drawn by the compelling evangelistic ministry of Dr. William R. Pettigrew to Walnut Street Baptist Church, where Byron later taught adult Sunday School.
Byron’s final church home was Bethany Baptist Church, where he served in many roles and was blessed with a caring church family, led by his pastor and dear friend, Dr. Ken Vickery.
Reared to embrace sound biblical doctrine and practices, Byron was honored to have served as a trustee and as board secretary for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Byron was also a Gideon, and was thankful for the opportunity through that ministry to place the Word of Life in people’s hands, entreating all to be reconciled to our creator God through Jesus Christ. Soli Deo gloria.
Byron taught mathematics at Seneca, Westport, Stuart and Moore High Schools in Jefferson County; and after retiring from JCPS, was recruited by a former student to extend his pedagogical influence to classes at U of L, JCTC and IUS.
He always wore a tie in the classroom, a mark of his respect for his office and his students, and also of the respect he was due as their teacher.
“Mr. Boyer” formed special bonds with many over the years, and he cherished the unexpected mementos they sometimes gave him, including a watch one early group presented, and a plaque in thanks “for all that he taught them”...of subjects well beyond the curriculum: Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture” was the signature anthem for his classroom.
Just as cherished were (and are) the warm and appreciative recollections by former students...one that lost his father at an early age said that Mr. Boyer was his model for what a man should be.
In recent years, Byron was invited to Seneca and Westport class reunions, where he surprised many, first for being alive, and then by recalling much more than just their names!
In the last week of his life, Byron received a letter from a former student who had missed the reunion, but heard that “Mr. Boyer” had asked about him. The family had a hard time getting through reading that letter to Byron, but did so, and Byron smiled.
Byron is survived by his cherished wife, Barbara Annette Phelps of Montgomery, Alabama. The blind date through which God brought them together provided Byron his earthly solid rock and helpmate. They shared more than six decades together, and Barbara has worked tirelessly to enable Byron to spend this last year at home.
Byron leaves three children: Campbell, Mark (Kate Dalton), and Leslie (Jim Evans). Byron is also survived by five dearly loved granddaughters: Emma Evans, Annie Boyer, Elyse Evans, Leila Evans, and Virginia Boyer.
Byron loved the many dogs adopted over the years, and he was dearly loved by all of the family pets. His childhood dog was Governor. The Old English Sheepdog pups included Archimedes, Gauss, Newton, and Fairchild.
By the time the grand-pups came along, Byron no longer had naming rights...he was predeceased by Zach, Comus, Mamfa, JR, Toobig, Huck, Tucker, Calvin, Mimi, Puff, and Drake. Humphree Evans, and Leo and Boone Boyer were his regular companions during this last year; and their mutual delight in being together buoyed the spirits of all in Boyer House. The pups, too, feel his absence.
The family would like to thank the many medical professionals in the community who helped Byron with surgery, rehabilitation, and other care during this past year, particularly his team at Amedisys Home Health.
A private family burial will be held at the Campbellsburg Cemetery, with a memorial aervice planned for May 15th, 2021, at Bethany Baptist Church, 2319 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY, 40205.
Visitation will take place at the church from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., followed by the service.
Memorial gifts may be made to this church in memory of Byron.
Byron was born October 4, 1929 in Campbellsburg, KY, to Ruth Campbell Jeffries and Erle Hamilton Boyer. Byron’s older brother Ralph predeceased him.
Byron’s family moved to the Crescent Hill area of Louisville when he was 4, and though Louisville was his home, he maintained affectionate ties to Henry County, and his High Crossing Farm. Byron was a graduate of Male High School (cum laude, 1947) and The University of Louisville; also attending Georgia Tech.
Byron placed his faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to fully atone for his sins. After growing up in Crescent Hill Baptist Church, Byron was drawn by the compelling evangelistic ministry of Dr. William R. Pettigrew to Walnut Street Baptist Church, where Byron later taught adult Sunday School.
Byron’s final church home was Bethany Baptist Church, where he served in many roles and was blessed with a caring church family, led by his pastor and dear friend, Dr. Ken Vickery.
Reared to embrace sound biblical doctrine and practices, Byron was honored to have served as a trustee and as board secretary for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Byron was also a Gideon, and was thankful for the opportunity through that ministry to place the Word of Life in people’s hands, entreating all to be reconciled to our creator God through Jesus Christ. Soli Deo gloria.
Byron taught mathematics at Seneca, Westport, Stuart and Moore High Schools in Jefferson County; and after retiring from JCPS, was recruited by a former student to extend his pedagogical influence to classes at U of L, JCTC and IUS.
He always wore a tie in the classroom, a mark of his respect for his office and his students, and also of the respect he was due as their teacher.
“Mr. Boyer” formed special bonds with many over the years, and he cherished the unexpected mementos they sometimes gave him, including a watch one early group presented, and a plaque in thanks “for all that he taught them”...of subjects well beyond the curriculum: Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture” was the signature anthem for his classroom.
Just as cherished were (and are) the warm and appreciative recollections by former students...one that lost his father at an early age said that Mr. Boyer was his model for what a man should be.
In recent years, Byron was invited to Seneca and Westport class reunions, where he surprised many, first for being alive, and then by recalling much more than just their names!
In the last week of his life, Byron received a letter from a former student who had missed the reunion, but heard that “Mr. Boyer” had asked about him. The family had a hard time getting through reading that letter to Byron, but did so, and Byron smiled.
Byron is survived by his cherished wife, Barbara Annette Phelps of Montgomery, Alabama. The blind date through which God brought them together provided Byron his earthly solid rock and helpmate. They shared more than six decades together, and Barbara has worked tirelessly to enable Byron to spend this last year at home.
Byron leaves three children: Campbell, Mark (Kate Dalton), and Leslie (Jim Evans). Byron is also survived by five dearly loved granddaughters: Emma Evans, Annie Boyer, Elyse Evans, Leila Evans, and Virginia Boyer.
Byron loved the many dogs adopted over the years, and he was dearly loved by all of the family pets. His childhood dog was Governor. The Old English Sheepdog pups included Archimedes, Gauss, Newton, and Fairchild.
By the time the grand-pups came along, Byron no longer had naming rights...he was predeceased by Zach, Comus, Mamfa, JR, Toobig, Huck, Tucker, Calvin, Mimi, Puff, and Drake. Humphree Evans, and Leo and Boone Boyer were his regular companions during this last year; and their mutual delight in being together buoyed the spirits of all in Boyer House. The pups, too, feel his absence.
The family would like to thank the many medical professionals in the community who helped Byron with surgery, rehabilitation, and other care during this past year, particularly his team at Amedisys Home Health.
A private family burial will be held at the Campbellsburg Cemetery, with a memorial aervice planned for May 15th, 2021, at Bethany Baptist Church, 2319 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY, 40205.
Visitation will take place at the church from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., followed by the service.
Memorial gifts may be made to this church in memory of Byron.