SESSER -- Jeffrey Thomas Boyd passed away Thursday, April 10, 2014, at his home due to his ongoing battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig 's disease). Jeff was born Dec. 20, 1950, in Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin. He was the youngest of three boys born to Loren Woodrow and Vera Galloway Boyd. Both of his parents preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Christine (Dolce) Boyd, and their children, Cassie Hartwell and William, all of Sesser; and brothers, Loren "Beau" Boyd and wife, Cheryl, of Benton and Steve Boyd and wife, Carolyn, of Sesser. Jeff graduated from Sesser Community Unit schools in 1967. He continued on to the University of Missouri at Rolla. Jeff was raised on the farm, operating heavy machinery, and continued to do so in his life-long career as a civil engineer, until his death. Jeff operated as an owner of Boyd Brother's Inc. of Sesser and J.T. Boyd Construction Company of Sesser. Jeff was an avid bass fisherman, quail hunter and Harley rider. He also enjoyed gardening outside with his wife and kids. Nothing made him happier than to spend time outside with the sun on his face and the wind in his hair. Jeff lived the fisherman's dream and lived most of his adult life at his boyhood fishing spot. He was a member of B.A.S.S. Master's, the Masonic Lodge in Sesser, The Scottish Rite, and the Anid Temple of Shriners. Jeff had been a member of 4-H as a youth and participated in 4-H with both of his children. He had served as a member of Franklin County Hospital Board and Sesser School Board. Jeff also was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 318 in Marion. Services to remember Jeff's life will be Tuesday, April 15, in United Methodist Church in Sesser. The church will open at 9 a.m., and the memorial services will begin at 11 a.m. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the ALS Association, the Shriner's Hospital for Children in St. Louis, or for college expenses for Jeff's children. Published in The Southern Illinoisan on Apr. 14, 2014