Oscar P. Boyles

 Oscar P. Boyles

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Oscar P. Boyles
October 14, 1923-April 17, 2011
Smiths, Alabama- Oscar P. Boyles, age 87, resident of Smiths, AL., died on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at Columbus Hospice House. Funeral services are scheduled at the Chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 3 p.m. with Reverend Andy Merritt officiating. Private interment will follow at Parkhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 from 5-7 p.m.
Mr. Boyles, son of the late Thomas Roy Boyles and Sarah Ethel Johnson Boyles, was born October 14, 1923 in Forrest, MS. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, and served his country honorably during World War II. Mr. Boyles graduated from Auburn University receiving both his Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree. He then began a career as an educator, where he devoted more than 25 years of faithful service. Mr. Boyles started his teaching career at Trinity Private School. He then taught at both Lagrange College and Cusseta High School before transferring to Baker High School where he served as Principal for several years. Mr. Boyles attended Edgewood Baptist Church and had been a member of several local civic organizations. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Anita McGriff Boyles; a sister, Evelyn Stewart; and a brother, Woody Boyles.
Mr. Boyles is survived by one step-son, Shelby Mouring of Smiths, AL; one brother, Tommy Boyles and his wife Joan of Texarkana, AR; one granddaughter, Amber Watford and her husband Buck of Crossville, AL; one great-granddaughter, Gracie Watford; one great-grandson, Sport Watford; other relatives and friends.
Condolences may be offered www.shcolumbus.com.

Published in Columbus Ledger-Enquirer on April 19, 2011

 
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ledger-enquirer/obituary.aspx?n=oscar-p-boyles&pid=150403651&fhid=5117#ixzz1Jy2EoD14

 to view a collection of thoughts about Mr. Boyles some Lions shared in our Lion Forum: Bakerville USA, April 2011, Impromptu Chat

 

 to visit Mr. Boyles' site IN MEMORY page and please post a comment/memory of your own about Mr. Boyles..... thanks.


During Spring Fling 2009 (aka "Night with Oscar") we video'd the evening click below to view the videos....

Part 1 "Night With Oscar" Video:


 


 Part 2 "Night with Oscar" Video

 

Dear Lions & Lionesses:
 
On Sunday March 27, 2011, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Oscar P. Boyles, Principal of Baker High at Cook's Place Lions Den.  He was assistant principal to Dr. Fred Kirby from 1958 to 1972 and principal from 1972 to 1974.  The You Tube video is limited to only 10 minutes so we could not elaborate much on any subject.  For those of us that were there when he was assistant principal, I feel that you are going to enjoy and treasure this interview.  The brick presented to Mr. Boyles is from the wing closest to Baker Village where his first office was located in 1958.  In 1959, his office was moved to across from the lunchroom.  We will be doing a series of interviews in the future of teachers that live in the area and Baker graduates from the class of 1945 especially those that served in WWII.  I would also like to acknowledge the crew that helped in making this possible and they are:  James (Bumpy) Lanier, audio technician & director, Diane (Storey) Lanier '62 and Sandye (Johnson) Nazario '64 for technical advice and Shelby Mouring '58.  I also would like to thank Roy (Sunshine) Cook for the use of his restaurant.  -- Ish Nazario '61
 
Click here to watch the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLZf9_iQPEw 

 

 

Mr. Oscar Prentice Boyles Recap

 

Mr. Boyles died at Columbus Hospice, Moon Rd. , Columbus , GA on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at about 2:20 PM.  Striffler-Hamby took the body to the funeral home around 4:17 PM.  Funeral arrangements were made on Monday, April 18, 2011.

 

VISITATION:           

 

Visitation was from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Tuesday April 19, 2011.  I did not get an official count but I estimate that during the two hour visitation there were at least 200 who came to pay their last respects to Mr. Boyles.  There were some from out of town.  The guest book on line was only 9 pages long with comments from throughout the US and Puerto Rico .  The attendees were not only past students but faculty as well and friends.  All were sharing stories about Mr. Boyles as a student, faculty and friend.  The You Tube video interview of Mr. Boyles was shown but the place was so jam pack that most did not get the opportunity to see it.

 

DAY OF FUNERAL:

 

Most were there by 2:30 PM.  I met a friend that I have not seen in 50 Yrs  from the class of 1960.  Many that could not come to the visitation were present and likewise, some that were at the visitation could not make it to the funeral service.

 

 

The service started with the seating of the family and honorary pall bearers.  The honorary pall bearers were, Terry (Nunnally) Todd, ’73, Sandye (Johnson) Nazario ’64, Elva (Griner) Sherwood ’63, James Massey ’60, Paul Holmes ’59, Henry Holmes ’70, Rodney Wolfinger ’69, Curly Harman ’62, Mr. Paul Mezick, (faculty), John Crimmel ’70, Roy Cook ’68 and Ismael (Ish) Nazario ’61.   

 

 

The service was started with the Video of Mr. Boyles’ interview and ending with pictures of Mr. Boyles at the luncheons and class reunions with music.  The entire video was 14 minutes long.  It was very funny and sad.

 

Rev. Andy Merritt, Pastor of Edgewood Baptist Church, where Mr. Boyles was a member and attended regularly, was the celebrant.  The service started with singing of hymns.  Rev. Merritt read some scriptures and announced the three speakers who would reflect on Mr. Boyles life.  They were Mr. Paul Mezick, representing the faculty, Roy (Sunshine) Cook ’68 and Ismael (Ish) Nazario ’61, representing the students.  Mr. Mezick reflected on not only his fairness to the students but to his faculty.  When the faculty needed help, you could trust that Mr. Boyles would help.  I can’t remember all that was said as it was all emotional.  Roy and I just spoke about some personal experience with Mr. Boyles.  History was been made as we had to keep our remarks to three minutes each when we could keep telling tales forever.  Patsy Mossor, the spouse of a deceased assistant principal under Mr. Boyles gave a beautiful description of Mr. Boyles.  At the very end, two members of the 3rd Infantry Division removed and folded the American Flag and Taps was played by an Army bugler. It was so touching and appropriate as Mr. Boyles was a WWII veteran having fought in the Pacific with the 11th Airborne Division.  The flag was presented to Shelby Mouring, his son.

 

It was well attended and all of the class years that Mr. Boyles was either Assistant Principal or Principal were represented.  The family asked Sandye and I to accompany them to the burial site.  We were honored to do so.  He is buried on top of a hill with a very nice view behind the mausoleum.  He is buried next to his wife, Anita.  As a paratrooper it was an honor for me to accompany my brother paratrooper the last mile and I know that all of the Baker family would have done the same.

 

While at the burial site and meditating, the thought went through my mind that the “Main Lion” is put to rest but he is not dead, only his body.  His spirit and Baker High School will live until the very last one of us dies.  Right now he is reuniting, not only with Anita and his brother Woody and sister Evelyn, but with all of the Lions that have gone before him.  I can picture it in my mind and can see some of them asking him, “Mr. Boyles, what took you long?  We did not think that you loved us.”  A true icon has passed who was fair to us and also influenced us to be the very best we could be.  He will be an empty chair at our luncheons.  May GOD have mercy on his soul.

 

Several of the former students had a gathering at B. Merrill’s Restaurant on Veterans Parkway .  I was told that 10 to 15 were present.  The gathering lasted for 2 hours only to go to another establishment.  I am also told that if you go to the Baker web site, www.bakerlionspride.com and click on “Oscar P. Boyles”, on your left tab, it will take you to where there are many pictures of him to include the obit and folks responding to the guest book.   Thanks.

 

Ismael (Ish) Nazario ‘61

 

 


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