Ronald Boydston, 87, of Vero Beach, passed away on March 31, 2014.
He is survived by his sister, Helen Gleason; daughters Nancy L. Rothwell (Myles), Tina C. Roach (Mike), Lisa C. Carone; sons, Ronnie T. Boydston, and Robert H. Boydston (Stephanie); six grandchildren, Shannon, Casey, Courtney, Robert, Jacob, and Patrick.
He was predeceased by his wife of 27 years, Helene Kolling, in July of 2013.
Boydston was an outstanding veteran who served his country starting with a brief career in the U.S. Navy in 1945 and then joined the U.S. Air Force in 1947. During his Air Force career his promotion was to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant and served for 20 years with an additional 10 years in the Air Force reserve. Ronald received multiple medals of commendation for his service in both the Berlin airlift an the Korean War.
In his leisure time throughout his Air Force career, he was actively involved in playing and coaching Squadron Basketball teams that resulted in many Base Championships on various Air Force bases. Towards the end of his active career he was part of the 2045th Communications Group at Andrews AFB, Md. He played a significant role in monitoring Air Force One during the Kennedy Assassination in November 1963.
Due to his love of golf, he went back to college and acquired an Agronomy degree and became the Golf Course Superintendent at Rockland Country Club in Sparkhill, N.Y., after retiring from the Air Force. He later retired and relocated to Florida.
He was a member of the St John of the Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John of the Cross in Vero Beach, on Tuesday, April 15, at 11 a.m. Arrangements are under the care of Aycock Funeral Home in Fort Pierce.
