Elmer L. "Sonny" Boyd

Elmer L. “Sonny” Boyd of Blooming Grove, Texas, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2024, in Corsicana, Texas. He was born on September 21, 1927, to William Isaac and Littie Melissa (Pullin) Boyd, in Cryer Creek, Texas. He met Yvonne Smith at a skating rink in 1948, and he told friends he was going to marry her. They were married on June 30, 1950, and made their home in Dallas, Texas. They had three daughters from this union and married for 65 years until Yvonne’s death in 2015. Sonny was the ninth of ten children, growing up in the Cryer Creek area before the family moved to Blooming Grove, Texas, in 1946. He graduated from Blooming Grove High School in 1946. Sonny joined the U. S. Navy in 1946 and served until 1948. He served on DD 713, North and South Atlantic, and Carribean. On May 19, 1952, he joined the Dallas Police Department as a patrolman and became a detective October 15, 1957. He retired from DPD in 1978. He joined the Euless Police Department in October 1978 as a warrant officer then became the court administrator in 1981. He permanently retired on February 1, 1989. Sonny and Yvonne moved from Dallas to Navarro Mills Lake in 1989, then made their home in Blooming Grove, Texas, in January 1999. He was a member of the Blooming Grove Methodist Church and a member of the Blooming Grove Masonic Lodge. He was a Mason for over 50 years and enjoyed teaching the Masonic works to others. He served on Navarro County Crimestoppers for 33 years. He served as Vice President of the Rose Hill Cemetery Association from 2001 to 2021. Sonny was the last living DPD detective who investigated the JFK assassination. His picture appears in many historic photos. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, 9 siblings and 1 son-in-law. Sonny is survived by his 3 daughters, Pam Boyd (Paul Korkames), Donna Roach (Ricky) and Toni Rhyne, 7 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren, and 1 sister-in-law Gail Alexander, numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their thanks and gratitude to Hand in Hand Hospice and the staff of the Village at Heritage Oaks. Visitation with his family will be Thursday, May 30 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Griffin Roughton Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 31 at 11 a.m. at First Methodist Church, Corsicana, Texas. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Blooming Grove. Serving as pallbearers are his grandson and great grandsons Randy Roach, Bradley Roach, Blake Bowen, Brodey Bowen, Eli Rios and Jace Trull. Honorary pallbearers will be Austin Rice, Rowdy Rice, Andrew Green, the men of the Blooming Grove Methodist Church and the men of the Blooming Grove Masonic Lodge. If desired, donations in Elmer “Sonny” Boyd’s memory may be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, Rose Hill Cemetery Association in Blooming Grove, or the Blooming Grove Methodist Church.

Elmer L. "Sonny" Boyd

September 21, 1927 - May 24, 2024