Sam Marks Boykin Jr.

Samuel Marks Boykin, Jr. of Palm Beach died on December 8, 2015 from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease. His parents, Samuel Marks Boykin and Mary Elizabeth Julian Boykin, raised a true Southern gentleman in Birmingham, Alabama.

Mr. Boykin graduated from Washington and Lee University and served in the United States Army as an Airborne Ranger Paratrooper and Jumpmaster.

Mr. Boykin’s storied career in the steel industry culminated with ownership of SMB Steel Corp. and began with Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Ingalls Iron Works Company. His major projects included the Space Shuttle Towers and Moon Launch Towers at Cape Canaveral, the Delaware-Chesapeake Canal Rail Lift Bridge, multiple sports stadiums, military vessels, submarines, and ocean barges.

Mr. Boykin’s business sense was legendary. He served as Director on numerous Boards, including First Alabama Bancshares (now Regions Bank), First Alabama Bank of Birmingham, the Eye Foundation Hospital at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Banker’s Fire and Marine Insurance Company, and the American Institute of Steel Construction. He was appointed to the Palm Beach Architectural Commission for six years.

Mr. Boykin was a long time member of the Bath and Tennis Club, the Sailfish Club, and the Everglades Club. He served on the Board of Directors of the Everglades Club for twelve years. He was an avid golfer, proud of shooting his age until his late seventies and of his many hole in ones.

In the Board Room or locker room, at black-tie galas or fishing in the Bahamas, Sam never met a stranger. He always was first to extend his hand with a firm “I am Sam Boykin. Good to see you.” His twinkling blue eyes and dancing feet will be sorely missed by all who loved him.

Mr. Boykin is survived by his devoted wife of 19 years, Mary Pendergrast Boykin; his son Samuel Marks Boykin III and his wife Lyn, their children Samuel Marks Boykin IV, Walter Davenport Stapleton Boykin, and Emmilyn Elesabeth Claire Boykin; his former daughter-in law Marcia Boykin, grandsons Robert Ingalls Boykin Jr. and Coulter Boykin and granddaughter Liza Boykin; his two stepdaughters Joëlle Allen (William and their two sons Rowe and John) and Sharon Mattei (James); and a stepson Justin Helstein. Mr. Boykin was preceded in death by his son Robert Ingalls Boykin.

A private service with full military honors will be held in Birmingham, Alabama. As a family, we humbly request that in lieu of flowers, a charitable donation be made in Sam’s memory to Hospice-Vitas (Vitas Community Connection, 1901 South Congress Avenue, Suite 420, Boynton Beach, FL 33426 561-364-1479) or any charity of your choice.

“Say not in grief ‘he is no more’ but live in thankfulness that he was”