SSG (RET) Van Ray "Red" Boyd, 76, of Junction City, Kansas passed away on August 4, 2024, in his home surrounded by his loving family. A visitation will take place on Friday, August 30, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. followed by a funeral ceremony at the Johnson Funeral Home. A graveside service at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery with full military honors will follow.
Red was born in Cave City, Kentucky to Kenneth Oldham and Alegra Boyd on August 19, 1947.After graduating from high school, Red joined the U.S. Army in 1965, where he was stationed in West Germany until 1968. During this time a buddy of his introduced him to his future wife, Brenda of Mount Union, Pennsylvania. After dating Brenda for several months, they were married on July 4, 1969. After several years, Red rejoined the U.S. Army in 1974, where he had several duty stations to include: Fort Meade, Maryland; Fort Ritchie, Maryland; Wiesbaden and Wuerzburg, West Germany and finally Fort Riley, Kansas. Through his many duty stations he enjoyed coaching men's basketball and youth sports to include both basketball and football
.Red and Brenda had two sons, Marcus and Travis. They enjoyed going to many sporting events with their father which continued throughout their adulthood. Red retired from the U.S. Army, July of 1989. After his military service he began working with kids in juvenile detention. In 1999, he began working as a prisoner transport officer and continued until completely retiring in 2013. After this second retirement, Red could be found enjoying one of his favorite hobbies, fishing.
Red and Brenda had five grandchildren whom he loved and supported with many of their school and sporting events.
He was preceded by his mother and father, two brothers, and one sister. His memory will be carried on by his loving wife of 55 years, Brenda, two sons; five grandchildren, Nikki, Lloyd, Elijah, Angel, and Ashad; one great-grandson, Atlas and a host of young men he welcomed into his family. Family is what he lived by. If you had the chance to spend time with him, you would know how much he cared. The laughs, jokes, and the occasional cuss words all came from the heart. He will truly be missed.