[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 19 (Tuesday, February 2, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E88]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF DERWOOD RAY BOYLES

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                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 2, 2021

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
the life of Derwood Ray Boyles who passed away on October 13, 2020. 
Colonel Boyles was a dedicated serviceman and dedicated his life to 
faith, family, and country. I join countless Mississippians in mourning 
his loss.
  Born March 20, 1928 to Silas and Lurline Windham Boyles in Lorena, 
Mississippi, Derwood Ray Boyles and his family soon moved to Jackson, 
Mississippi where he spent the rest of his life. Derwood was a founding 
member of the Jackson Boy's Club. In 1946, he graduated from Central 
High School as an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow. 
While at Central High, Derwood was also a ROTC cadet, which enabled him 
to join the U.S. Navy near the end of WWII. He was selected to be a 
squadron leader at boot camp and spent his tour of duty in the 
Mediterranean area on the Providence, the flag ship of the fleet. It 
was on this tour Derwood had the opportunity to meet Pope Pius XII.
  Derwood returned stateside and graduated from Mississippi State 
University in 1951. He studied Accounting and soon joined his uncle at 
Dreyfus Insurance Agency--one of the oldest agencies in the state. He 
was committed to his partners, continuing to visit the office into his 
90s, and was inducted into the Mississippi State University Insurance 
Hall of Fame in 2007.
  While serving as the president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, 
Derwood met Miss Jackson, Regina Harlan. On December 17, 1957, the two 
were married in Rockefeller Center in a ceremony broadcasted on NBC. 
The two were married for over 62 years before his passing.
  Colonel Boyles dedicated 28 years of service to the Mississippi Army 
National Guard. He was an active member of many veteran and military 
organizations. In 2006 he was awarded the Spirit of Volunteerism Award 
by the Defense Department. He also received the Medal for Exceptional 
Public Service, the highest level public service award given by the 
Department of Defense.
  Derwood is survived by his wife, Regina Harlan Boyles. Other 
survivors are son, MG Janson Durr Boyles; daughter, Jennifer Boyles 
McCall; grandchildren Durwood Graham (Gray) Boyles and Connor Boyles of 
Dallas, TX; Carter McCall, Sarah Douglas McCall and Matt McCall (Laura) 
of Knoxville, TN.
  Colonel Boyles was an outstanding Mississippian who expemplified a 
commitment to public service. He dedicated his life to making life 
better for his community. I am grateful for men like Derwood who so 
humbly served our great state, and my deepest condolences are with 
those who loved him.

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