Lonnie Ray Boydston

Lonnie Ray Boydston, 66, of Dearborn, MO passed away Thursday, October 17, 2013.

He was born on May 14, 1947 to Ernest Raymond and Lela Maxine (Wright) Boydston in St. Joseph, MO.  Lonnie grew up east of Camden Point where he was active in 4-H, played baseball in the summers and was known as “Yogi”.  In 1965 he graduated from North Platte High School where he played football and received numerous football awards and was offered a full ride football scholarship to MU.  He was also active in FFA and received the State Farmer Award and the American Farmer Award.

On June 4, 1966 he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Linda Sue Williams.  After their marriage they purchased their home and farm in rural Dearborn where they have resided for 47 years.

Throughout his farming career he raised hogs from farrow to finish with the Nutrena Hog Systems, raised tobacco, raised grain crops, and cattle.  In recent years he has been active in raising draft horses and mules. Lonnie had the top selling mules in Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee and always said “they might beat me in the show ring, but I’ll beat them in the sale ring”.  However, Lonnie did receive Reserve Grand Champion six consecutive years at the MO state fair and won World Champion at the Kentucky State Fair with a suckling mule colt.  Lonnie’s greatest joy was his family, especially spending time with his grandchildren.

Lonnie was also a member of the Camden Point Christian Church, the Masonic Lodge #169 in Camden Point, and the Percheron Horse Association of America.

He was preceded in death by his father, father-in-law, Charles A. Williams and sister-in-law Marti Boydston.

Lonnie is survived by his wife Linda; daughters, Rachel French and husband Bennett, Rebecca Duran and husband Jimmy and Robyn Payton and husband Corey; grandchildren, Ben “Rootie”, Lonee Sue “Sis”, Gus “Gunner”, Jesse “Razor”, Woody “Meister”, Wesley “Dub”, Merilyn “MerMer”, Lydia “Lyddie”; mother Maxine Boydston; siblings, Carolyn Hepler and husband Charlie, Mary Park and husband Larry, Dean Boydston, and Randy Boydston and wife Cheryl; mother-in-law, Frances Williams; numerous nieces and nephews, other relative and many friends.

Funeral Services:  1:00 p.m. Monday, October 21^st at Camden Point Christian Church.

Visitation:  5:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Burial:  Camden Point Cemetery

Donations may be made to the Lonnie Boydston Memorial Fund

Arrangements Hixson-Klein Funeral Home