He was born in Cookeville, Tennessee on April 23rd, 1936 to Byrd and Mary Boatman, and was raised on the family farm with 3 sisters and 3 brothers.
He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Tennessee Tech University.
He worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 35, years serving in many capacities including Chief of the Operations Division and Deputy District Commander for Project Management for the Nashville District.
He was a member of the Tennessee Army National Guard and Army Reserve, retiring as a Colonel after 38 years of service. He was a Vietnam veteran, where he served as a Captain and was awarded the Bronze Star.
He was very active in Church throughout his life, including teaching Sunday School, serving as a Deacon, providing leadership on many committees, and helping out whenever he was called. He was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Donelson.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Pat, his son, Todd (Mary), his sister, Pearlie Bice (Tilbert), and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Hermitage Funeral Home on Monday, July 1, 2019 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm, and also on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm.
The Celebration of Life will be at Hermitage Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Larry Dearth and Rev. Chuck Workman officiating.
Retired Military Honors and Entombment will follow at Hermitage Memorial Gardens.
Serving as active pallbearers are Carolyn Ballentine, Kyle Smith, M.C. Kent, Marshall Kent, Barry Cloyd, and Henry Hamilton.
Honorary pallbearers are James Sutton and members of the Agape Sunday School Class at Shiloh Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shiloh Baptist Youth Ministry or to Tennessee School for the Blind.
