Jack Thomas Boyd died on Feb. 26th, his 84th birthday surrounded by family at his home in Traverse City.

Born in Toledo, Ohio in 1941, Jack grew up in Sylvania and went to college in Michigan and Ohio. He married his high school sweetheart, Gretchen Herzberg, and went to dental school at Ohio State University. The couple moved to Washington and Jack worked at a dental clinic on the Yakama Indian Reservation.

Returning to the Midwest, Jack opened a dental practice in Sylvania and settled his family on a farm property in Blissfield, Michigan, where they raised three kids. Jack became a follower of Jesus Christ at age 30 and the Boyds became leaders in Young Life. They volunteered for the ministry for 50 years, opening their home to countless teenagers and young adults to share the gospel of Christ.

Jack played football and basketball and ran track in his youth, and he was a die hard Buckeyes fan all his life. Known as 'Puga' to his grandkids, he was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed taking friends and family fishing and bow hunting for white tail deer in the fall. He loved the solitude of sitting in a tree stand.

Jack is survived by his wife of 61 years, Gretchen; their children: Kristen (John) Hintz, Aaron (Jody) Boyd, Sarah (Peter) Payette; grandchildren: Patrick and Robert Hintz, Connor (Abby), Madalyn, James Cannon, and Mylee Boyd, Isabelle, Amelia and Emmet Payette, and Juan Matias. He was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Helen Boyd and his sisters, Jean and Patty.

The family invites you to celebrate Jack's life with them at Sojourn Church, 1027 McRae Hill Rd, Traverse City, MI, on Saturday, March 29 with visitation from 2:00-3:30 pm and service beginning at 3:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given in Jack's memory to Grand Traverse Young Life. (https://grandtraverse.younglife.org/)

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com