John was born June 16, 1943 in Washington, DC. John and his mother lived with his grandmother and aunt in Pensacola during WWII while his dad served in the Navy. He grew up in Wheaton, Maryland graduating from Wheaton High School. While in high school, John met his forever love, Barbara Charles.
They married in 1960 and he was a devoted husband for 63 wonderful years.
He started a life-long automotive related career as a mechanic at a car dealership then as a Snap-On tool salesman before becoming owner of two service stations in Washington, DC and then four more after moving to Pensacola in 1972. He opened Boyden's Speed Shop in 1977 which later became Speed Unlimited- a fixture in the local racing community for many years- until he retired in 2015. John was well known for his vast knowledge of everything related to cars, having fast big block Chevrolets (yeah and 2 Mopars back in the day) that competed all over the southeast US and for his love of the sport of drag racing. He had a countless number of customers, competitors, and friends that he had a close relationship with over many, many years.
John loved being around his family and really enjoyed being Dad, Grandpa, and Gramps to his 2 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, 5 grandkids and 5 great grandkids. When he wasn't racing, John enjoyed boating, fishing, RV camping, hosting fish fries, model trains and talking about high performance cars. He was a member of Myrtle Grove Methodist Church and part of the Lifestyle Sunday School Class.
John is survived by his wife Barbara; sons Bill (Amy) Boyden, Pensacola, FL and Rob (Brenda) Boyden, Greenville, SC; grandchildren JW (Megan) Boyden, Argyle, TX, Melissa (Kyle) Grill, Arvada, CO, Charles Boyden, Jacob Boyden and Michael Boyden, Greenville, SC; and great grandchildren Charlie, Jack and Scarlett Boyden, Argyle, TX and Layla and Betty Grill, Arvada, CO, his brothers Dick (Mary) and Jim (Jenny) Boyden, Pensacola, FL and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.
A visitation for John will be held Sunday, December 17, 2023 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Myrtle Grove United Methodist Church, 1030 N 57th Ave, Pensacola, FL 32506. A funeral service will follow from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM, with a committal service from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM at Myrtle Grove Methodist Cemetery, N 57th Ave, Pensacola, FL 32506.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make any monetary donations to Myrtle Grove Methodist Church.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oaklawnfunerals.com for the Boyden family.
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