Dr. James ‘Jim’ Newell Boydston, DVM

Jim was the first child of James L. And Wyona Boydston, born in Adrian, Michigan on August 10, 1934. After his father graduated from veterinary school at Michigan Agricultural College (now MSU), the family eventually settled in Wauseon, Ohio. Jim met the love of his life, Lois, and they were married on September 11, 1955. The new couple moved to MSU where Jim completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and their first child Linda Sue was born.

The new family returned to Wauseon where Jim entered practice with his father. He enjoyed treating both large and small animals. Eventually, two more daughters were born, Jody Lynne and Laura Jane.

In 1977, Jim was offered the opportunity to buy his uncle’s mink ranch and vet practice in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He semi-retired from veterinary medicine and moved with his wife and youngest daughter to Escanaba. He enjoyed the cooler weather of the U.P. and spent much of his time outdoors either at the mink ranch or fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, golfing, boating or downhill skiing. In the 1990s, Lois and Jim sold the mink ranch and turned their Lake Michigan cottage in Ford River into their permanent home. At that time, he went to work as a real estate agent at his wife’s business “American Dream Realty”. Due to declining health, in 2019, the couple moved permanently to their winter home in Tavares, Florida.

Throughout his life, Jim found much joy in helping others. He was a lifetime member of the Lions Club where he served as President as well as in other leadership roles. He was also a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge. He was the chairman for the 1966 Wauseon Homecoming Committee. He invited year-long exchange students into his home from Chile, Kazakhstan, and Hong Kong, and often had other short-term exchange students from time to time. He served as the Fulton County Fair veterinarian for 18 years and was key in first bringing and heading the Miracle of Life tent to the UP State Fair. He was an active member of the Farm Bureau for many years. Jim served on the MSU Veterinary School Advisory Board from 1985-1987. He served as the first veterinarian for the UP 200 dog sled race and continued in this capacity for 11 years, as well as at the Horse Endurance and Competitive races around the UP. He led 4-H Veterinary Science clubs. Jim served on the Pinecrest Board for many years. In 2000, the Michigan Veterinarian Association named Jim “Volunteer of the Year”. He was also inducted into the 2020 Wauseon High School Distinguished Alumni/ Legends of Education Hall of Fame.

Jim was also active in the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Wauseon, as well as at Memorial Methodist Church in Gladstone where he served on several leadership committees. Jim made sure his family was able to attend Sunday School and Church each Sunday and led the family in prayer around the dinner table.

Jim and Lois also loved to travel together, whether it was a quick boat ride to Door County for a fish boil, or a plane ride to vist Jim’s sister in Kenya, or any of the many destinations in between and beyond.

Jim was a great conversationalist who loved meeting new people. The most common words used by friends and family to describe Jim on Facebook have been “kind” and “gentle”. He also had a wonderful sense of humor and used a lot of one-liners.

Jim is survived by his wife of over 65 years, Lois Mae (Murry) Boydston, daughter Linda (Dana Frey) of Wasilla, Alaska; daughter Jody (Doug Johnson) who are full-time RVers; and Laura (Gary LaMarche) who are full-time sailboat cruisers, brother Bob (Carolyn) Boydston of Blanco, Texas, sister Barbara Dundas of Nairobi, Kenya; sister-in-law, Joyce (Bruce) Herbert of Charlevoix, Michigan, sister-in-law Shirley Fritz of Mt. Dora, Florida and brother-in-law, Maurice (Debbie) Murry of Wauseon, Ohio. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Max (Alina) Frey of Wasilla, Alaska, Meagan (Collin) Lichtenberger of Fairbanks, Alaska, Courtney (Dorn) Armstrong of Johnstown, Colorado, Clare Johnson of Highland Ranch, Colorado, Christopher (Lauren) LaMarche of Charlotte, Michigan and Cassandra LaMarche (fiance Blake Reynolds) of Grand Rapids, Michigan, along with 11 great-grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Gordon Boydston.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 3 at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Gladstone from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Memorial services will follow at 5:30 p.m. A luncheon will be announced following the services. Jim will be laid to rest in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to the Memorial United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org

The family is being assisted by the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone.