"If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right." Perhaps there is no better way to sum up the life of A.P. Boyd than with this favorite phrase of his. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, leader of men, and follower of Christ, he passed Monday, July 11, 2016, at age 82.

Born on December 19, 1933, in Sylvester (Fisher County), Texas, A.P. was one of nine children born to Lafayette Bert Boyd and Kate Grace Mauldin Boyd. Their children included Billy Eldon Boyd, Nadine Boyd, L.B. Boyd Jr., Charles Leon Boyd, A.P. himself and Horace Lee Boyd-all of whom are now deceased-as well as surviving siblings Calvin Doyle Boyd, Arthur Ray Boyd (and wife Schylon), and Richard Gwyn Boyd (and wife Tanya). Since their father was a humble sharecropping farmer, A.P.'s family learned to move and change locations frequently (in such places as McCauley, Rotan and Roby, of West Texas). As a boy, he was mischievous and clever, sneaking tobacco from his uncle, watermelons from the neighbor's patch, and fishing when he grew bored of his many boyish pranks. Like all of the members of his family, A.P. worked hard to finish each day as he had been taught and learned to drive a tractor at a young age. He often attended one-room schoolhouses, but because of his family's transient lifestyle, he was unable to stay in one place long enough to play football - his reason for quitting school before graduating. 

A.P.'s career ambitions were cut short after his brother Charles' sudden death in 1952 when his mother asked him to move home in order to help his family. Not long afterward, A.P. was drafted into the army (April 24, 1952) and sent to Boot Camp at Fort Bliss (El Paso). He later attended Signal School and was eventually shipped out to Korea and landed there on October 4, 1952. Several days later, A.P. dined with (four-star) General Maxwell D. Taylor and volunteered to be the General's telephone operator, becoming Chief Operator on his third day in the position. At length, his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was changed from Telephone Operator to Heavy Equipment Operator. Finally, A.P. was honorably discharged from the Army on February 11, 1956. 

After leaving the Army, A.P. went back to work for Young Brothers in Waco-where he became General Superintendent after only a year on the job-and was soon introduced by his brother, L.B., to Margie Nell Meissner at a community picnic. The couple had their first date in February of 1956, were engaged in May and finally married on December 29, 1956 at a church ceremony in Cranfills Gap, Texas, where "he chased her until she caught him." The Boyds added three children to their family: Steven Charles Boyd (and wife Charlene), of Hempstead, Gregory Dale "Greg" Boyd, of Wellborn, and Rebecca Sue "Becky Sue" Boyd Musgrove (and husband Anthony), also of Wellborn. He was also proud of his special "adopted" son, Benny Ray Hawkins of Smetana. He also served as surrogate father to three other young men who lived with the family for many years.

At Young Brothers, A.P. continued to distinguish himself as a trustworthy leader who worked tirelessly to complete his assigned tasks, universally respected for being firm, yet fair. By 1968, A.P. had become a Vice President in the company and General Manager of the Bryan/College Station area for Young Brothers, (now Knife River). He finally retired in 1995 after completing work on the Pebble Creek Country Club, Golf Course, and subdivision in College Station. A.P.'s children learned to follow his example by adopting a strong work ethic, strong faith and strong desire to improve the community. Every Sunday, the Boyds attended Our Saviour's Lutheran Church as a family. In terms of professional groups, A.P. was heavily involved in Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), where he was instrumental in the election of the group's first female President in Texas. He also served as President of the AGC in Texas in 1994.

He is survived by three brothers-Calvin, Arthur and Richard, and sister-in-law Vonnell-and was predeceased by his parents, four brothers (Billy and wife Julie, L.B Jr., Charles, and Horace and wife Lois), and sister Nadine and husband Bob Rogers, and sisters-in-law Dixie and Joyce Boyd.