Don Boyd

Don Boyd passed away peacefully on Friday, January 17, at his home with his wife, Joyce, by his side. He was 80.

Don Boyd

Born on August 26, 1944, in Los Angeles, California, to Donald and Evelyn Boyd, he was the youngest of two siblings. He had fond memories of growing up in LA, from sneaking through the fence to play in the back lot of MGM Studios to crabbing in the Marina Del Rey area before there was a marina.

He met the love of his life, Joyce Lopez, during a flag football game at Culver City High School. After dating for two years, they married on June 5, 1965.

When he was a teenager in the 1950s, his family vacationed in Bend, Oregon, and he was charmed by the little town of just over 11,000 people. He was able to make Central Oregon his home beginning in 1972, finally settling in Sisters with his family in 1978.

With the desire to live in this beautiful area, Don was motivated to earn a living through a variety of jobs, from being a U.S. Bank "repo" man to being a wine steward, most recently at Ray's Food Place. With his wife, they fulfilled a dream and opened Seasons Café and Wine Shop, which they operated for five years. Don was known for never quite having the tomatoes sliced by the 11 a.m. opening, and for educating and introducing customers to wines from around the world.

Don served on many Sisters School District Budget committees, and on the Sisters Fire District Board from 2002 to 2017.

His retirement plans took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with ALS in 2015. Fortunately, his positive attitude and sense of humor seldom wavered, and his life was full, cooking, reading, watching sports (including his beloved L.A. Rams), and visiting with a dedicated and caring circle of friends.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Boyd of Sisters; his sister, Sue (Russ) Weir of Sisters; daughters Donna (Darren) Layne of Sisters, and Heidi (Craig) Fong of La Canada, California; grandsons Brennan (Megan) Layne, Enzo and Zander Fong, and one great-grandson, Parker Layne.

At Don's request, no service will be held. Because quality of life was so important to Don, he found peace in being able to use Oregon's Death with Dignity Act.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Bend Partners in Care, or ALS Northwest.