Leona Frances Boyd, lifetime resident of Vinita, Oklahoma passed away on Sunday, September 02, 2007, at the Craig General Hospital in Vinita. Leona was born October 16, 1922 to Agnes (Cook) Burge and William "W. E." Burge in Okoee, Oklahoma and attended Ketchum and Cleora Schools. Leona was married to Gus "G. L." Boyd in 1938 and they had three children, Virginia, Dave and Wayne. Leona was preceded in death by her husband Gus Boyd in 1977; her parents, brothers, Dave, John, Q.D. "Duke", Jack Burge and sisters, Gertrude Goforth and Opal Brown. In 1949 Leona and Gus bought the old Burckhalter place east of Vinita and moved into their new home where she resided until her death. Leona was a member of the Craig County Baptist Church in Vinita. In 1981 Leona, son Dave Boyd and Bill Davis partnered in the DLB Broadcasting Corporation and named their radio station KITO. In 1983 the partners signed on KITX in Hugo, Oklahoma and in the early 1990's signed on KJTX, Jefferson, Texas. In 2002 Leona and Dave Boyd became equal partners in KITO Radio. Leona was always interested in education and was the first president of the Riverside Elementary PTA and was very active in the Cobb School PTA and raised thousands of dollars for playground equipment, books, etc. During the time Leona was the co-owner of KITO she attended every Vinita Hornet football game, whether in town or out of town for over 22 years. She served on the Teen Town Board, took part in raising money for Schoech Ball Park, through the Lions Club. In 1990 Leona was selected for the Citizen of the Year Award by the Vinita Chamber of Commerce. She also was very active in supporting the Vinita Band projects. KITO supported the Vinita Rotary Scholarship Fund by donating air time every year with all the proceeds from ad sales to the Fund. Leona is survived by her children, Virginia Boyd Roberts of Broken Arrow, David Boyd and wife Carla of Vinita, Wayne Boyd of Las Vegas, Nevada; Grandchildren, Tari BigPond and husband Jerry of Owasso, Mike Stephenson of Gallatin, Tennessee, Gavin Boyd and wife Stephanie of Big Cabin, Brian Boyd and wife Mary Ann of Vinita, Deena Vice of McKinney, Texas, Tammy Daniels and husband Don of Vinita, Ronnie Vice and wife Brandy of Claremore; five great-grandchildren, Nichole Stephenson of Gallatin, Tennessee, Lane Boyd of Vinita, Katie, Allie and Cooper Boyd of Vinita. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 5, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. in the Luginbuel Chapel, with Pastor Henry "Skip" McClain officiating and Mr. Bob McSpadden will do the Eulogy. Interment will follow at the Carselowey Cemetery, southeast of Vinita. Casket bearers will be Bob McSpadden, Tom Kemohah, Norman "Tubby" Hardrick, Mike Maybery, Jim Shelton, and Charles "Chuck" Hoskin, Sr. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita.
Service Details
Wednesday, September 5th, 2007 2:00pm, Luginbuel Funeral Home
Interment Details
Carselowey Cemetery