WOOSTER – James A. Boyd of Wooster passed away suddenly on Saturday, June 27, 2009 while on an outing in Cleveland with friends.
He was born to Ralph and Ida Sommer Boyd on July 18, 1949. An only child, his early years were spent on the family farm near Berlin, Ohio. His love of animals, the outdoors and baseball had their origins here. He had fond memories of listening to baseball games with his father and playing the game whenever he could. He graduated from Hiland High School where he was a pitcher for the Hawks. An arm injury ended his pitching days, but Jim’s love of sports, especially baseball, never died. He became an avid collector of memorabilia, easily filling a room in his home with treasures. He watched games in a wide variety of ballparks. And, for at least the last fifteen years of his life, he made an annual trek to Cooperstown to spend time in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Jim attended Malone College and held jobs at Wooster Community Hospital and the College of Wooster during his early adulthood. For the past 35 years, he was employed by the Wooster YMCA where he was the longest serving staff member. Through his position in the fitness center, he met hundreds of Wooster residents and was loved by them all for his cheerful demeanor and the care and concern he exhibited for each and every individual. Jim loved his job, which he always said was great fun, and the Y patrons and staff loved him back.
Another of Jim’s passions was running. Unfortunately, he finally had to give up running marathons when he developed hip and knee problems, but he was frequently still seen as a volunteer worker at local races.
Generosity and caring for others were also among his prominent characteristics. He had few material possessions, but he was always ready to use them to help others. Until the past couple of years, despite bad hips and knees, he often stood most of a day on Thanksgiving to help out at a food bank and he often participated in the Relay for Life as part of the YMCA team.
Jim was preceded in death by both his parents but survived one aunt, Alma Crilow of Goshen Indiana, a step-borther Carl (Lorena) Maxwell of Berlin and a step-sister Esther (Maxwell) Frink of Winesburg and many cousins.
A Memorial Service and reception to celebrate Jim’s life will be held at the Wooster YMCA on Tuesday, July 7 at 4:00 P.M
Memorial contributions are welcome. Cash and checks may be dropped off at any Wooster area FirstMerit Bank Branch or at the Wooster YMCA. Checks should be made out Jim Boyd YMCA Memorial Fund. If mailing is more convenient, send your check to Jim Boyd YMCA Memorial Fund, Wooster YMCA, 680 Woodland Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691.
McIntire, Davis and Greene Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting with arrangements.

Memorial Contributions
Jim Boyd YMCA Memorial Fund

Service
Memorial Service, Tuesday, July 7 , 2009 at 4:00 P.M. at the YMCA

Visitation
No calling hours