Kenneth Stuart Boykin

Col. Kenneth Stuart Boykin, USAF (Ret.), passed away on October 23, 2024 after a sudden downturn in his health, surrounded by his family. Ken was born January 18, 1943 in Wilson, North Carolina, to Richmond Edward Boykin and Edna Elizabeth Long.

Ken is survived by his beloved wife Sylvia Gayle Munroe Boykin, daughter Alexis Katrine Boykin (Joe Bowman), son Stuart Ramsey Boykin (Carol Mehrtens), and grand-daughter Katie Alexis Boykin.

Ken attended high school in Wilson, NC where his sports prowess resulted in a baseball scholarship to the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill where he obtained his B.S. in Business Administration. It was there that he met the love of his life, Gayle, asking her to marry him on the walk back to her sorority house one evening. While Gayle worked for Procter & Gamble, Ken completed his degree and received his draft notice. In a letter to Gayle, he said he decided to join the Air Force to be a pilot and that it would only be a six-year commitment – a statement his whole family chuckles about to this day.

Ken ended up flying and maintaining B-52 BUFFs (“You Have to Be Tough to Fly the Heavies”) for thirty years, where he was known for his outstanding plane handling skills and respected by all who worked with him. Ken completed three deployments to Vietnam, in between which he and Gayle had two children. The highlight of Ken’s career was his time as the Wing Commander for the 379th Bomb Wing at Wurtsmith AFB in Oscoda, Michigan, where he also led the 1708th Bomb Wing (Provisional) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during Desert Storm. He retired from the Air Force in May 1996 as the Chief of Staff of 8th Air Force at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. Ken’s awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medals, and Kuwait Liberation Medal.

Throughout his lifetime, Ken first and foremost made sure his family was safe and together. Ken and his family moved cross-country multiple times, usually during the height of winter, in cars stuffed to the gills with plants, cold weather gear, and a revolving menagerie of dogs, cats, hamsters, a rabbit and a guinea pig. To this day, Ken’s family enjoys retelling stories they’ve all heard numerous times, but which showcase the love and good times experienced over the years.

After retiring, Ken and Gayle returned to Gayle’s hometown of Elizabethtown, NC, where Ken worked for Interior Wood Specialties (IWS) for 10 years and became an active member of the community, participating on the Bladen County Disaster Preparedness Committee and Bladen Crisis. As an elder at Mt. Horeb Presbyterian Church Ken taught Sunday school and maintained the building and cemetery grounds; during his remaining free time, Ken was active in various committees within the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina and Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church. Ken’s strong belief in God lead to a lifetime passion of teaching others about the scriptures, exemplifying those disciplines in his lifestyle and actions.

Ken truly loved his family, the U.S. Air Force, B-52 planes, his church, and this community. He was a kind, compassionate, loving husband and father who will be missed by all who had the privilege to share in his life and faith. Our family would like to thank everyone for their kindness and support during this difficult time. A memorial service with military honors is scheduled for 5 PM on Friday, November 29th, at Mt. Horeb Presbyterian Church.

In remembrance of Ken Boykin’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Mr. Horeb Presbyterian Church in Council, NC or the Angel House Hospice Care Center in Whiteville, NC.

Micah 6:8 (NIV) - He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Boykin Family Bedtime Recitation

Night Night, Sleep Tight

Dream Sweet Dreams

Need Me, Call Me

Will if I Can, You Do the Same

God Bless You and I Love You

Pleasant Dreams

See you in the AM