Donald Albert Boyd

Life Reflections of Donald Albert Boyd

“A Man of God”

Donald Albert Boyd, known as Don to some and Skeets to others, was born February 10, 1937 to Ollie Boyd and Lee Ester Ross-Manning of Kansas City, KS.   His father was a Negro League baseball player with the Kansas City Monarchs.  Don was the second of three children.   He was preceded in death by his parents, sibling Annette Como, nephew Wayne L. Champ and wife, Sandra J Boyd.  

Don grew up in a neighborhood called Armstrong, located in Armourdale. Armstrong consisted of a short four blocks consisting of about 40 families forming this unique community. Everyone knew one another through worshiping, raising each other’s children and experiencing life together. Don helped start the yearly remembrance, Armstrong picnic, in 1977 which continues today.

Don graduated from Sumner High School in 1955 and attended Kansas City Kansas Community College on a football scholarship where he received an associate degree in business administration. Don was drafted into the Army in 1960 and received a good conduct medal and a honorable discharge.

After returning home from the army, he was employed for over 30 years at the Veterans Administration hospital as a lab animal technician prior to retirement.

In 1965 he attended a singles mixer during the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. National Convention in Kansas City and met his lovely wife, Sandra. They were united in marriage on August 4th, 1973 and were together for 38 plus years prior to her death. To this union two daughters were born, Dana Nicole and Dawn Nishelle.

 At an early age Don joined Tabernacle Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas under the guidance of Deacon Davis. He was the Sunday School Superintendent for many, many years. He enjoyed taking the youth from Tabernacle, the community and his nephews and niece to various activities and events in the community. He was the father figure to many of the neighborhood kids. He also served as Chairman of the Deacon and Trustee board prior to his illness. He was also a very active member of the National Baptist Layman group. Don loved God, God’s work and God’s people.  

Survivors include two daughters,  Dana Nicole Boyd and Dawn Nishelle Boyd of Kalamazoo, Michigan; one sister, Anna Marie Champ of Kansas City, Kansas; nephews, Robert (Norma) Champ Jr.; Lawrence M Champ; and David J. (Tisha) Como; niece, Joy Darlene Champ all of Kansas City, Kansas; close friends Melvin Norwood; James McCallop and Rev. Archie Jordan; one god-daughter, Felicia R. Hooks;  the Armstrong family, and the Tabernacle Church family; Laymen, a host of friends, and many other lives he touched along the way.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Hospice care provider Vitas Healthcare, 8527 Bluejacket St., Lenexa, KS 66214.

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