Boyd Clyde Kilgore Jr.

The family of Boyd C. Kilgore Jr. is saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Dad and Poppy on November 23, 2025. A longtime resident of Henderson, NV, Boyd was born to Boyd Sr. and Elsie Kilgore in Lubbock, TX, in 1940. He eventually worked his way to the West Coast, where he raised a family and remained for the rest of his life. He spent his career as a proud member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, specializing in acoustic ceiling tile installation. After moving his family from Southern California to Las Vegas in 1971, he contributed to many of the valley’s major commercial construction projects during the city’s rapid expansion - first as a contract laborer, then with Martin-Harris Construction. Later, he joined the in-house carpentry team at the original MGM Grand Hotel, remaining through its transition to Bally’s until his retirement in 1998.

Known as a masterful “Mr. Fix-It,” Boyd could repair or build nearly anything and even constructed the Henderson home where he lived for more than 35 years, hosting countless Thanksgiving gatherings and Dallas Cowboys football games there for generations of family members. His door was always open for family get-togethers of any size, especially if they involved food. His ability to fire up the barbecue at a moment’s notice was legendary.

He loved the outdoors, traveling, fishing, hunting, camping, and especially spending time in, around, and on the water. Some of his most treasured memories included scuba diving off the California coast, snorkeling in Hawaii, sailing the bays of Southern California, taking ferries through the San Juan Islands or down the Inside Passage from Alaska, houseboating with his family on Lake Powell and the Sacramento River, and enjoying his cabin cruiser on Lake Mead. During Southern Nevada’s hot summer months, he often road-tripped through the Pacific Northwest, especially loving Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, Oregon’s coast and wine country, British Columbia, and time spent fishing in Alaska.

His interests also included anything with an engine, particularly classic cars and airplanes. Having grown up around horses in Texas, he carried a lifelong affection for them, and he cherished memories of the family’s Springer Spaniel, Daisy May.

Though outwardly stubborn and tough, Boyd was soft-hearted - particularly with his grandchildren - and maintained a sharp, often self-deprecating wit throughout his life. He was deeply proud of his family. He is survived by his three sons - Steven (Jody), Richard (Ann), and Michael (Amy) - and their mother, Carol; his three sisters, Pat Grant, Bobbi Comstock, and Margaret Smith; twelve grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandsons; and one tortoise.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. His ashes will be scattered at the places he cherished most at a later date.