Eulogy for Wayne “The Governor” Boyd
(Panama City, FL…February 24, 2007)
“Life is not important, except for the impact it has on others’ lives.”
-Jackie Robinson’s epitaph on his tombstone
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This past September, my good friend, Wayne “The Governor” Boyd called me…his
medical challenge (cancer) had returned for the third time, and (that…”if I don’t make it
through this time”) he asked me to speak at his funeral. I immediately said, “Of course,
‘Governor’, I‘d be most honored.”
“Let’s make ‘em laugh…talk some baseball…I don’t want people to feel sad” were his
words to me. You see, Wayne knew that this third time around with his medical
condition worsening, was going to be his ultimate challenge for life here on this
earth…he faced mortality with the same sense of humor and spirit that he faced life, with
that great smile and that infectious Wayne Boyd giggle that we all know so well.
Pat, Wayne’s wonderful wife and soulmate of 35+ years, reminded me three weeks ago
that she would like me to offer a eulogy for Wayne, as his condition continued to weaken
him further…again, deeply humbled, I assured her that I would be ever so proud to do so.
BASEBALL
I first met Coach Wayne Boyd in late October, 1995 in Winter Haven, FL at the very first
tournament that the BOYS OF BASEBALL – NATIONAL TRAVEL TEAM ever
participated in. It was a 12 & under tournament hosted by Doyle Baseball. Looking
through a chain- link fence, “Coach Steve, Wayne Boyd here…let’s talk baseball!” were
his first words to me.
We struck up a conversation that resulted in my 10+ year great friendship with Wayne
through baseball. The BOB-NTT played first with Coach Wayne and his Bay County
Amateur Baseball organization in Panama City Beach, FL, the fall of 1996 at the old
Frank Brown Baseball Complex on Back Beach Road…our second age-group
tournament. To date, we have