Longtime pastor and leader in Classis Red Mesa of the Christian Reformed Church, Bobby Boyd died Dec. 19 following complications from a benign brain tumour. Boyd was known for his excellent preaching in the Navajo and English languages, his compassionate pastoral care and his passion for evangelism. He was also known for his humor, his laughter, for being a sincere friend, a wonderful teacher, a prayer warrior, and a devoted servant of the Lord. Boyd was serving Church Rock (N. Mex.) CRC, at the time of his death.
Born at his family’s sheep camp in the mountains of Sanostee, N. Mex., Boyd grew up in a Navajo family in which his mother was a soothsayer and his grandfather a medicine man. Boyd, however, became a Christian in 1977. He engaged in theological studies within Classis Red Mesa and was greatly influenced by Paul Redhouse, who for many years pastored Four Corners CRC in Teec Nos Pos, Ariz. Boyd served Baptist and Nazarene churches before engaging in some studies at Calvin Seminary and being ordained in the CRC in 1988 under Church Order Article 7 (for candidates without all the prescribed training but with exceptional giftedness). He then served Toadlena (N. Mex.) CRC; Bethlehem CRC, Tohlakai, N. Mex.; and Church Rock (N. Mex.) CRC.
“He was a people person who talked to anybody and everybody,” said his daughter. Boyd had several leadership roles within Classis Red Mesa and the broader denomination, including with Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (now World Renew) and Back to God Ministries International (now ReFrame Ministries). He loved watching the NBA and NFL and was a referee for junior high and high school basketball for 32 years.
Boyd will be lovingly remembered and missed by his wife, Nora, four children and spouses, and six grandchildren.
About the Author
A former nurse and chaplain, Janet Greidanus is a freelance news correspondent and long-time writer of the In Memoriam column for The Banner.
