Col. Boyd C. Barker (USAF Ret.)

March 31, 1929 — October 24, 2023

“A Great Life”

Col. Boyd C. Barker passed away on October 24, 2023 following a life of service to his country, family, and community. Boyd was a true patriot who dedicated his life to the US Air Force. He served his country with honor and diligence earning the loyalty, respect, and admiration of his colleagues and superiors alike. He was a loving husband, devoted father, and cherished friend to all who knew him.

Boyd was born in Weiser, Idaho, to Matilda “Tilda” Nortune Barker and Elva “Brod” Barker on March 31, 1929. He attended Roseberry Elementary and Donnelly-McCall High School, where he lettered in basketball and football. When he was not working on the farm or attending to his studies, he could be found enjoying the outdoors. He loved cross-country and downhill skiing, as well as hunting.

Boyd attended the University of Idaho in Moscow. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and served as president from 1950-1951. His first flying experience was with the Vandal Flying Club, where you could take to the skies on a solo flight for $2.50 an hour or with an instructor for $6.00. In addition, he participated in a myriad of extracurricular activities, including the Intercollegiate Knights and the Arnold Air Society in its formative years. His most impactful membership, however, was with the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), which paved the way for his career as a military aviator.

Boyd received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force in 1951 and completed his pilot training with the 52-G class at Pinecastle AFB on October 25, 1952. He spent the next five years on active duty flying the F-84G and F-84F aircraft during the Korean conflict. Afterward, Boyd took a short break and worked with the Sun Valley ski patrol. He subsequently returned to the University of Idaho and graduated in the spring of 1958 as a Captain with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Electrical Engineering.

In 1957, he met a “beautiful beautician whose mother made a great strawberry shortcake,” and the rest is history. Boyd married Lorraine Parks in Moscow, Idaho, on June 28, 1958, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and recently celebrated their Blue Sapphire (65th) anniversary. They moved to Lancaster, California, with his assignment to Edwards Air Force Base.

During their time in Lancaster, Boyd was employed by Edwards AFB as a Mechanical Engineer working with Department of Defense contractors. His first assignment was with the Douglas Aircraft Company, testing the C-133 (Cargomaster) propulsion systems. Next, he worked with Boeing developing concepts for the Minuteman Silo Program. After completing the silo program at Edwards, Boyd was transferred to Hill Air Force Base to help lead the Minuteman Mobility Test Train Program.

In 1960, Boyd entered civil service as Chief of Maintenance for the 945th Military Airlift Group, where he was responsible for 400 personnel and all maintenance activities supporting ten multi-engine aircraft. In 1962, to maintain his engineering background, Boyd transitioned to Thiokol Chemical Corporation as a Lead Test Engineer, specializing in Minuteman propulsion development and assisting with the installation of the Lakeside Test Facility. During this time, he continued flying in the Air Force Reserves and eventually served as Vice Commander of the 301st Tactical Fighter Wing in Fort Worth Texas, and a Mobilization Augmentee to the Commander of the 25th Air Division in McCord AFB Washington.

Boyd worked as Chief of Flight Analysis for Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill AFB from 1966-1980. He was responsible for managing the AFC Minuteman Flight Analysis launches from Vandenberg AFB. His evaluations of these missile flights resulted in recommendations for engineering changes to maintain a viable missile fleet.

In 1980, when Air Force Systems Command assumed the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR), Boyd was promoted to Chief of System Safety for the 6545th Test Group and System Safety Program. With this 10-year assignment, he established and implemented an effective Safety System Program, which included the development of the Ground Launch Cruise Missile System Safety Requirements. Testing entailed evaluations of manned and unmanned aircraft, specifically drones, remotely piloted vehicles, and cruise missiles. His role as manager also included responsibility for all laser safety operations at UTTR. Additionally, he co-authored a book entitled, “Laser Range Safety,” which provided laser standardization utilized by all military ranges, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force. He was awarded as Outstanding System Safety Officer for maintaining an unblemished safety record during his tenure.

The highlight of Boyd’s career was his role as an Air Force Academy Admission Liaison Officer (AFA ALO). He dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours and traveled thousands of miles across Western Wyoming to mentor prospective candidates interested in joining the Air Force. He guided more than 200 students through the Air Force ROTC enrollment process and the Air Force Academyás rigorous academic, physical, and character requirements. He is credited for 28 Wyoming high school graduates being awarded an appointment to the Academy, thus forever changing their lives. In 1984 and 1989, Boyd was recognized as the outstanding Admissions Liaison Officer for the Western Region, and in 1990, outstanding retired Liaison Officer for the entire nation.

Throughout his career, he logged approximately 5,000 flight hours in fifteen different aircraft; specifically the Piper Cub, T-6 (Texan), T-28 (Trojan), T-33 (Shooting Star), F-84F and F-84G (ThunderJet), B-25 (The Mitchell), C-47 (Skytrain), KC-97 (Stratofreighter), B-47 (Stratojet), C-119 (Flying BoxCar), C-124 (Globemaster) P-3 (Orion), F-105 (ThunderChief). His largest concentration of flight hours were spent in the cockpit of the C-124 (Globemaster) flying troops and cargo transports during the Vietnam War.

When Boyd retired in 1994, he had devoted 30 years to Civil Service, 25 years in the Reserves, and 40 years as a Liaison Officer. He received numerous awards and medals during these years to mark his extraordinary achievements. Amongst these were the Meritorious Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Combat Readiness Medal. Boyd valued and cherished not only his time in the service but also the friends he and Lorraine made along the way.

Boyd was a dedicated servant to his community. He was an integral part of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Elementary School Board for 25 years, serving as president and financial adviser. He was president of the Intermountain Division of the United States Ski Association (USSA) for 5 years and was Chief of Timing for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Boyd was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Reserve Officers Organization, Air Force Association, Daedalians, a Life Member of the Elks, and a long-serving patron of the St. James Catholic Church in Ogden.

Boyd had a lifelong love of outdoor activities and enjoyed hiking, skiing, fishing, hunting, and camping. He also loved traveling with Lorraine and their children. They took several trips to Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, Cody, and the Midwest in the family camper. Boyd and Lorraine spent 30 years enjoying summers at their cabin in McCall, Idaho. They also spent 18 years wintering in Yuma, Arizona. Their worldwide travels took them to Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Scotland, and France.

Predeceased by his parents, Boyd is survived by his wife, Lorraine; children, Ann (Mike), Deborah (Steve), Brian (Karey), and Sarah (Mark); grandchildren, Kathryn, Jessica, Madison, Elena, Brandt; and sister Rita Miller.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Bireen Whitten, Michelle Matson NP, the nursing staff and physicians at McKay-Dee Hospital, and Inspiration Hospice.

Our hearts are so heavy for we lost an extraordinary husband, father, mentor, and friend. He is just out of sight and making his home in the sky he loved. The aviator is home, he flies with God now.

A memorial to celebrate Boyd’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St. Joseph Elementary School in Boyd’s honor. You can donate via the Giving tab at www.stjosephutah.com and select “In memory of Boyd Barker”. If submitting via check, please make out to St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, note “In memory of Boyd Barker”, and send to St. Joseph Elementary School, 2980 Quincy Avenue, Ogden, UT 84403.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Leavitt’s Mortuary. Please visit www.leavittsmortuary.com to share memories and photos with Boyd’s family.