


Obituary of Jack Zemmy Boyd Jr.
Remembering the Adventurous Life of
Jack Z. Boyd, Jr.
Jack Zemmy Boyd, Jr. entered this world on December 19th, 1946, in Oceanside, California, and departed it early on January 13th, 2025, at age 78, as a resident of Crowley, TX.
When he arrived he was joyfully welcomed by his mother, Edna Faye Wilson Boyd, and then he in turn welcomed his three siblings as each joined the family: Myra, Merry, and Jamie (James). He grew up and lived on his mother’s family’s homestead just outside of Itasca, TX, where the family kept regular ties with Edna Faye’s parents next door, her nine brothers and sisters, and their ever-growing families. The Wilson Family annual traditions were, and still are observed each year by their descendants who gather to carry on the family talent show and remember Jack’s own contribution, the Christmas Skunk Hunt. Add in some good food, a reading of the Bible Christmas story, Christmas carols, and you’ll get a fair idea of a Wilson Family Christmas.
Jack, who was called Zem or Zemmy by his mother’s family, spent much of his life outdoors with his family members, numerous animal friends, and his loyal dogs, often hiking, hunting, and working. These activities would always be a defining part of Jack’s life, wherever he traveled. He was widely known for his ability to confidently navigate every wild land he came to with only what he could carry on his back: whether it was up the side of a mountain in Alaska or across any of the unmanned wilds of the Lower 48, Jack was always at home.
Jack attended school in Itasca, where he was the captain of the football team and Salutatorian of his class, among other accomplishments. It was here, in Chemistry class, that he met his high school sweetheart, Jan Williams. Later, he and Jan would marry, but first he graduated high school and attended West Point. He then served in the U.S. Army in Alaska, where he also worked as a geologist and Parks Service Ranger.
After traveling back home, Jack began his new life together with Jan traveling from Texas to Alaska for their “Honeymoon”: a word that Jan good-naturedly disputes to this day. They settled in the Matanuska Valley, just outside of Wasilla, and began raising their two children, Jade and (Jake) Zemmy, there. Jack helped engineer, build, and maintain the electrical grid for the valley, as well as helping his neighbors out anytime they needed it which, in a place like Alaska, turned out to be often.
The family eventually moved to a remote area of Northern Idaho and lived by their hard work and Jack’s resourcefulness since he could build and repair almost anything. Jack worked constantly with his family to overcome their property’s remote location and lack of running water or electricity to make a cozy, well-stocked homestead. Eventually Jack moved his family back to Texas, where they bought a home and Jack worked with his numerous talents while continuing to raise his family with Jan. He worked as an overseer, engineer, master welder, artificer, diver, and diagnostic and repair specialist for several companies over many years across varied industries. Despite all this hard work, Jack really centered himself around his family.
Jack attended every one of his children’s many performances, games, and other landmark activities. In addition he made special efforts to attend the graduations, birthdays, and other life events of many of his young nephews, cousins, and neighbors to make sure they understood how important they were to him and to the world at large. He continued to show this kind of love and support exponentially once he became a grandfather to his singular granddaughter, Sarah-Jane. Adopting his nephews’ name for him, Ol’Paint, Jack fully embraced his new role, passing on his love of animals, adventure, and the outdoors to Sarah. He could never have enough time with his granddaughter, but he certainly sought out and loved every second of it that he could get.
Jack lived every day of his life like the adventure that it was, even as he eventually fought his way through his final challenge against Parkinson’s related dementia. His love for his family, and especially Jan, continued to shine through during his final struggle.
Jack is survived by his wife, Martha Jan Williams Boyd of Crowley, TX; his daughter, Jade Elizabeth Boyd Calvert, her husband, Travis Lee Calvert of Fort Worth, TX, and Jack’s granddaughter, Sarah-Jane Elizabeth Calvert of Denton, TX; his son, Jake Zemmy Boyd of Greenville, SC; his younger sister, Myra Boyd Davenport of Burleson, TX; and his younger brother, James Boyd of Euless, TX. He was preceded in death by his mother, Edna Faye Wilson Boyd of Itasca, TX; his father, Jack Zemmy Boyd, Sr. of Temple, TX; and his younger sister, Merry Boyd Peacock, and her much beloved husband, Kenny Peacock of Hillsboro, TX.
The Memorial Service will be held at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery at 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211 on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 3:00 pm. Please arrive in time to line up cars between 2:30 and 2:45 pm.
The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Jack's preferred charity, www.sparkworldwide.org, to provide water wells for children in need.
Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home & Crematory
4350 River Oaks Boulevard
Fort Worth, TX 76114
Ph: (817) 336-0345
For your information the link to the TDOB preneed information website is: