James F. (Jim) Boyd passed away on August 6, 2026 and will be buried in a private ceremony at his home. His memory will be carried forward by his wife Carol Watkins Boyd, his children and their families: Caleb Boyd (and Melanie), Jesse Boyd, Rosanna Boyd, Amelia Boyd (and Shawn Skalin), Ioan Boyd, and Opal Boyd, along with his sister Betsy Boyd Strong. He was preceded in death by his parents, James E. Boyd and Elizabeth C. Boyd. He will also be fondly remembered by former students and teaching associates, fans of his music, a crew of “close enough” carpenters, and the many who were embraced by his hospitality. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.

“Words are what I use” is a line from one of Jim Boyd’s many songs. And it’s so true - from the hundreds of songs he wrote, to grant writing as a special educator, to the long letters he wrote his children when they lived far away, to the everyday words he used to make sure his family and friends knew they were loved - the man had a gift for words.

Jim was born and lived most of his young life in Atlanta. His parents relocated to Carrollton in 1961, and he graduated from West Georgia College. In 1971 he married Carol and began an adventure that started with a camping trip down the west coast of Florida to the Keys then back up the east coast until they reached the Champlain Valley of Vermont when they found out their family was already growing. Taking that for a sign, they bought an old house and established a welcoming homestead for the next 6 years.

Three children and many cords of wood later (1978), Jim and family returned to Carrollton to build a unique home with the help of many friends old and new. One more child then completed the “band.” Jim taught in the Bremen City Schools and worked as an administrator, retiring in 2001. He received his EdD through a then-new joint program between West Georgia College and the University of Georgia. He taught several classes through WGC and Piedmont College, guiding teachers into a better understanding of the needs of special education students.

Always interested in music and songwriting, Jim joined Mark Agababian in establishing DaddyO’s Gold City Guitars, an instrument and inspiration exchange in Villa Rica. The DaddyO’s Band grew out of that experience, playing blues-centric covers and Jim’s original songs. His family and friends can be heard in many of the recordings he made.

Throughout his life, Jim’s decisions were motivated by his love for family and community. “Boydville” became a friendly landing station for many friends over the years and our own grown children when they were at transition points in their lives. All of Jim’s friends and family are comforted by having his words with them, through memories and songs.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Playing for Change Foundation (https://playingforchange.org/donate/) or Pippin Music Academy (donate through PayPal to @pippinmusic; more information: https://www.pippinmusicacademy.com).

Messages of condolence may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com

Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.