1935
Mr.
2011
Mr. Lawrence Boykin
September 12, 1935 — February 1, 2011
1935 - 2011 Lawrence Boykin, 75, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away on February 1, 2011.
Lawrence was a man who was easy to love. A piece of American history, he was the embodiment of the American experience. Born in Boykin Springs, Texas, "Beau" grew up learning the art of self-sufficiency, resourcefulness, and adventure. This skill set had him off joining the Air Force to conquer the world. As starting center for his basketball team he traveled to Asia, South America and throughout Europe. Meeting his wife Gerhardina in Holland he was soon married, had a son Garret, and brought his new family to the U.S.A. It wasn't easy living and raising a family that now included daughter Victoria, in Topeka, Kansas, but he did it and he did it well. Times changed off to England and Japan for the remainder of the '60s. This culminated in 1970 after two volunteer tours of duty in the Vietnam War. Serving America with distinction he was honored with numerous citations and commendations. Not long after retiring honorable from the U.S. Air Force he became an entrepreneur. From a logging business in East Texas to a Janitorial Service in Kotzbue, Alaska, Larry never slowed down. In Kotzbue, AK, he also served as the towns Fire Chief, "Big B" or "Smokie" depending on how well you knew him or where from. Returning to Kansas City for health reasons he finally slowed down and got to smelling some roses, yet was always thinking of that next business to start. With the passing of his wife in 2008 he yet remained the master of his domain. Mr. B lived life with love in his heart, a boyish twinkle in his eye and everlasting hope in the future.
The world can use another Larry Boykin.
Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com.
Lawrence was a man who was easy to love. A piece of American history, he was the embodiment of the American experience. Born in Boykin Springs, Texas, "Beau" grew up learning the art of self-sufficiency, resourcefulness, and adventure. This skill set had him off joining the Air Force to conquer the world. As starting center for his basketball team he traveled to Asia, South America and throughout Europe. Meeting his wife Gerhardina in Holland he was soon married, had a son Garret, and brought his new family to the U.S.A. It wasn't easy living and raising a family that now included daughter Victoria, in Topeka, Kansas, but he did it and he did it well. Times changed off to England and Japan for the remainder of the '60s. This culminated in 1970 after two volunteer tours of duty in the Vietnam War. Serving America with distinction he was honored with numerous citations and commendations. Not long after retiring honorable from the U.S. Air Force he became an entrepreneur. From a logging business in East Texas to a Janitorial Service in Kotzbue, Alaska, Larry never slowed down. In Kotzbue, AK, he also served as the towns Fire Chief, "Big B" or "Smokie" depending on how well you knew him or where from. Returning to Kansas City for health reasons he finally slowed down and got to smelling some roses, yet was always thinking of that next business to start. With the passing of his wife in 2008 he yet remained the master of his domain. Mr. B lived life with love in his heart, a boyish twinkle in his eye and everlasting hope in the future.
The world can use another Larry Boykin.
Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com.
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