Funeral services for Milford Eugene "Gene" Boykin, 84, of Tyler are scheduled for 10:00 am Saturday, May 4, 2019 in the chapel of Lloyd James Funeral Home with Bro. Sherman Mayfield officiating. Burial will be in the Cathedral in the Pines cemetery.
Gene was born September 20, 1934 to Arthur and Ruth Boykin. He grew up in Swan, Texas. He had two siblings who were twins, a brother and a sister. He played baseball during his high school years, and during his senior year, his baseball team went to the state playoffs. During the championship game, Gene pitched a no-hit inning. The game was close, but they ended up losing by one run. At the age of 18, Gene enlisted in the Naval Reserves, where he served eight years. After high school, on June 12, 1954, Gene married Elizabeth Bowdoin who was the Blackberry Queen of Lindale. In 1957 they became parents of a baby girl, Angela, and almost three years later, another girl, Linda. Gene and his wife Elizabeth recently celebrated 64 years of marriage.
Gene worked for Wrigley's Gum for thirty-two years, retiring from Wrigley's in 1996 at the age of 62. Throughout Gene's life he has always been active. He played tennis, racquetball and enjoyed cycling, but his greatest love will always be golf. Another interest that Gene picked up was sculpting. When he retired from Wrigley's, he started sculpting. His last sculpture was of a jockey sitting atop a racehorse in full stride.
He is survived by his wife Elizabeth; his daughters Angela Campbell and Linda Zimmerman; grandchildren Amanda Jean Campbell, Tori Alexander, Taylor Alexander, John "Jack" Campbell, Michael Zimmerman and Nick Zimmerman.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Friday, May 3, 2019, at Lloyd James Funeral Home.
