James "Jim" Roger Boydston

Born March 19, 1935 to Velma (Rogers) and William Baker in Lincoln, Nebraska. When Velma remarried, he was adopted by her husband, Joe Boydston. Jim was raised in Renton, WA helping out in his dad’s radio and television store. He graduated from Renton High School in 1953. He worked a short time for The Boeing Company and then his love of planes guided him to enlist in The United States Air Force during the draft.

He met Patricia Kocer while stationed in Denver, Colorado. They married on September 2, 1959 and had six children: two were born while stationed in Littlerock, Arkansas; one born in Yankton, South Dakota while he was stationed in Okinawa; one born in Las Vegas, Nevada while stationed there; and the last two were born in Renton, Washington. One of his favorite stories was that he and his best friend, Don Mobley, each purchased a brand new 1957 Plymouth Fury, white with gold trim, and drove them home to Renton from Michigan.

After the military, Jim returned to work at The Boeing Company in Renton, Washington and Seattle, Washington for 40 plus years, retiring as an airplane inspector in 1995. During a few of those years he worked for the McRay music store playing and selling organs, enjoying one of those organs at home where he had most of his kids take lessons. He was very proud to have his children graduate from his alma mater.

Jim belonged to the Rams and the Hawks radio-controlled airplane clubs, and he later enjoyed flying his drones. His love of photography and Amiga computers led him to own his own side business, Video Edit ‘Cetera, where he was hired to take videos and pictures for special occasions.

Jim was a long-time member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church where he had many friends and enjoyed playing in the pinochle card club. Through the years he had fun dressing up with his wife for Halloween, loving to hear the laughter.

After retirement from Boeing, Jim worked part-time at the Hilton Hotel in Bellevue, WA with his daughter, Anne. He later volunteered at the Renton Police Department for several years taking finger prints and checking houses for people out of town. As his health declined, it was hard for him to give up his position there.

Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years; his children: Laura (Greg) of Olympia, WA; Jacqui of Lacey, WA; Rita (Darrin) of Utica, SD; Don (Janene) of Renton, WA; Anne (Scott) of Maple Valley, WA; Grandkids: Ellen (Nathan) Saline; Carl Ware; Makayla and Curtis Boydston, Carly Woodfield; Kaci and Brody Bierle; Dustin and Riley Baker; Great Grandkids: Hunter, Kiera and Rylan; Sister MaryJane (“Squeak”) Giaudrone of Cle Elum, WA, Brother Bill Baker of Portland, OR and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his infant son Michael Allen, brother Tommy Boydston, brother Bill Boydston, and his parents.

A memorial service is planned for:

Sunday October 27th at 2 pm

Merrill Gardens

104 Burnett Ave S

Renton, WA 98057

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Puget Sound Honor Flight.