Jerry Thomas Boyd March 22, 1946-May 18, 2019 Jerry Thomas Boyd, 73, died the morning of May 18, 2019, in Michigan City, IN. Son of the late Madelyn Wagner Boyd and Warren Boyd, Jerry was born March 22, 1946, at Mercy Hospital in Gary, IN. Jerry is survived by his husband of 11 years, Dennis Kniat, of Portage, IN; brother Mike Boyd and sister-in-law Betty Gowing Boyd (Cary, NC); nephews Tommy Boyd (Boone, NC) and David Boyd (Lexington, KY).
He is also survived by cousins and innumerable brothers and sisters born of different parents. Raised in Lowell, IN, he graduated from Lowell High School in 1964. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Indiana University Bloomington.
He taught art to elementary school students in Fowler, IN, and Lowell. In Boston, MA, Washington, DC, San Francisco, CA, Valparaiso, IN, he worked various jobs for years. He retired in 2012 from the Valparaiso University Law School Library.
He worked. And he created. Goodness, how he created.
He loved to draw. In elementary school, he entered a Chicago-area art contest sponsored by a television station. His entry was selected as one of the 30 Honorable Mention submissions from more than 3,000.
He drew, painted, and created sculptures and textiles. He acted on stage and television. He wrote two novels, “Shift Happens: A Novel of Awakenings” (2010) and “Marooned on Margo (Volume 1)” (2018).
He wrote essays and short fiction. His sense of humor was impish, quirky, and wide-ranging-always delighting and often surprising. His love for Our Creator permeated all that he did and said.
His life expanded when he met his husband Dennis. Their marriage was far too short, but it was replete with love, fun, and growth-of the individuals as well as the bond of a beautiful team. He cherished his friends and family.
He deeply cared for Mother Earth and all of her inhabitants. Jerry’s heart and soul were creative. He had a strong sense of Justice and concern for people who are marginalized.
“He left with the grace he lived”. A friend of Jerry’s said when she heard of his passing. Succinct and true.
Acute myelogenous leukemia savagely and quickly took Jerry from us. Close sister-friend Geralyn Lutty, Dennis, and Jerry’s brother Mike were with Jerry as he proceeded gently, quietly, almost imperceptibly. Peace.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, 6490 Broadway, Merrillville, Indiana 46410. Online condolences may be made at www. haverstockfuneralhome.
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