Thomas Lawrence Boyle

Thomas Lawrence Boyle was born March 2, 1915 in Preston, Idaho. He died peacefully at 92 years of age, December 22, 2007, with his wife Patty Smith Boyle and members of his family at his bedside. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, a great-grandson, and his first wife, Winona Green Boyle, who died January 10, 1987.

Tom had a fascinating life of adventure, travel and service. As a young man in 1935, he left quiet Preston, Idaho to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the French Mission where he served in France, Belgium and Switzerland. He loved to travel and returned to Europe many times during his life. He was a gifted linguist and a master at the French language. Even in his 90's Tom could translate both written and spoken French.

In 1938 when his missionary assignment was concluded, he and a missionary companion toured Europe.

While in Vienna, the week after Nazi Germany occupied Austria, they had several encounters with the Gestapo.

After returning to the United States, he worked at Boeing Aircraft, attended the University of Washington and then drew on his language skills when he was hired by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a specialist in code breaking.

While with the FBI, he lived in Baltimore, Maryland.

Tom briefly returned home to marry Winona Green in the Logan LDS Temple on May 14, 1941.

They honeymooned in Honolulu, Hawaii while Tom continued his service with the FBI. Approximately six weeks before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he was transferred to the mainland where he was assigned to the FBI's Seattle, Washington office.

Later, he worked as a senior investigator for Union Pacific Railroad in Pocatello, Idaho and for law firms in Portland, Oregon.

Tom and Nona were blessed with four children, Larry, Robert, Jean, and Thomas as well as a niece, Nancy, whom they loved as their own daughter.

This grand and kindly gentleman enjoyed life to the fullest. He had the good fortune to be married to two beautiful and caring women. Following Nona's death, Tom married Patty Smith Boyle in Portland, Oregon, on June 26, 1987. Together they traveled the world beginning in Hawaii and continuing to countries such as Russia, the Caribbean, Europe, Scandinavia, Mexico, and throughout the United States. Tom served as a temple worker in the Portland, Oregon LDS Temple for 12 years and remained faithful to the Church throughout his life.

Tom is survived by Patty, his faithful and caring wife of 20 years; his children: Larry M. Boyle, Boise, Idaho; Robert A. Boyle, Las Vegas, Nevada; Jean Boyle Detton, Bountiful, Utah; and Thomas D. Boyle of Farmington, Utah; his niece Nancy Morning Bennett, Logan, Utah; 16 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Patty's children: daughters Sandy Smith Coe, Longview, Washington; Carla Smith Powell, Cydnie Smith Harp and son Steven H. Smith, all of Sisters; 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Tom loved his and Patty's children, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was loved in return by them. He was buried in the Logan City, Utah Cemetery on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2007.

Information provided by the family of Thomas Boyle.