Born: January 26th, 1933 in Alicia, Arkansa to Ervin and Christine Blackshear. When Boyce was three years old, his family moved to Santa Paula.
They travelled to Los Angeles by train where his Grandfather, John McCalister was waiting to pick them up. Boyce always remembered that his grandfather bought him a hamburger that day, it was the first time he had ever eaten one.
Boyce's father worked for Union Oil Company and was transferred to Fillmore and then Whittier, California for a short period of time, but he would call Santa Paula his home town.
Boyce attended McKvett Elementary School, Isbell Junior High and he graduated from Santa Paula High School in 1951. He went on to Ventura Junior College and graduated with his Associates Degree. He spent two summers at Pepperdine College and later attended Santa Barbara City College.
Boyce and Anita met at a Santa Paula High School football game in September of 1951. They began dating in January...Anita was 13 at the time they began dating.
Boyce married Anita Cardinal on April 11th, 1954. Boyce and Anita had three children, Boyce Bernard Blackshear Jr. (Bernie) married to Cathy Seabaugh-Blackshear, Marvin Randolph Blackshear (Randy) married to Maria Louisa Montiel-Blackshear, and Kim Michelle Blackshear – Bell married to Jeffrey Bell.
He is survived by his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews and niece, and a very special brother-in-law, Donald Cardinal.
Boyce's special nephew is Jonathan Murad, his sister Barbara's only son.
Boyce's grandchildren are:
Eric Blackshear - (Married to Lora Villa Blackshear)
Brian Blackshear - (Married to Ellie Hengehold Blackshear)
Sean Blackshear - (Married to Ashley McClain Blackshear)
Nicholas Blackshear - (Married to Bethany Skutley Blackshear)
Jessica Blackshear Rashid - (Married to Navid Rashid)
Matthew Bell
Kylene Michelle Bell-Murphy - (Married to Patrick Murphy)
Katelyn Christine Bell
Boyce's Great Grandchildren;
Reece Blackshear
Cole Blackshear
Parker Blackshear
Rush Blackshear
Jackson Blackshear
Haddon Murphy
Boyce's Nephews and Niece:
Mike Cardinal (wife Barbara)
Tim Cardinal (wife Denise)
Jonathan Murad
Niece: Pamela Cardinal (son Taylor)
Boyce's Special Brother in law: Donald Cardinal
Boyce was preceded in death by his father Ervin Blackshear, mother Christine Blackshear, sister Barbara Blackshear-Murad and brother-in-law Jamil Murad.
Boyce grew up working in his parents’ local grocery store, Blackshear’s Market. It is now known as R&R Market. He mostly worked after school, and on Saturday and Sunday.
He spent most of his life in sales, and as a business owner.
He worked for Ardin Farms in the ice cream division. He then went to work for Bell Brand Foods, transferring to the Santa Barbara as a supervisor for that branch.
Boyce and Anita lived in Santa Barbara for 6 years. During that time he belonged to the Santa Barbara Junior Chamber of Commerce. Boyce was also a Scout Master for the Santa Barbara Boy Scouts.
Boyce and Anita returned to Santa Paula in 1969 with their three children to work for his parents because his father was ill. Boyce was a dedicated son and family man, so this was not a hard decision.
In 1972, his dad flew to visit his family in Arkansas. Unfortunately while there for his visit, his dad suffered a heart attack and passed into eternity.
Boyce and his mother, Christine continued to work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week for 10 years. They had incredible energy to do anything that needed to be done.
After a short stint working for Mission Linen, Boyce and Anita purchased Santa Paula Plumbing in 1979 at 926 Main Street. When they first started they had up to five people working for them. Their most incredible employee anyone could ever have had was Beatrice Sandoval.
Boyce loved his customers, especially the one that helped him learn Spanish. Some customers stopped just to visit with Anita or Kim. Some customers weren't customers at all, but seekers of information from Boyce to get help with their plumbing problem - Boyce could help most people fix their problem.
After a few years, Boyce and Anita began accepting bill collections for the electric and gas company. They downsized the store and relocated to 917 Yale Street and continued selling plumbing and receiving bill collections until Boyce retired at age 82.
Boyce loved his family and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Anita was the love of his life. Boyce's highlight was watching his grandson's, Eric, Brian, Sean and Nick play football at his alma mater Santa Paula High School. Boyce never missed attending a football game his grandsons played, no matter how far.
He love to water ski, eat out and in (especially lobster), and loved to go sightseeing anywhere and everywhere. He loved San Diego, Tijuana, Ensenada, Port of Nuevo, and Acapulco.
Many thanks to Dr. Tubbs and Dr. Emery for the care they provided Boyce for the past 13 years as he battled cancer. Thanks to the various hospitals and nurses for their care of him.
Livingston Memorial Hospice, especially Nan and Courtney.
Thanks to the Santa Paula Church of Christ for their love, care, concern and prayers for Boyce and our family.
A very special thanks to Ray McCalister Bob Russell, Pastor Bob Perez, Leo Bartly, and Ken Ary for spending time with Boyce and to Bob Russell for so faithfully bringing Boyce communion every Sunday.
Santa Paula was dear to Boyce's heart. He loved this little town and the people in it. He will be missed!
