Gerald "Jerry" Lavon Boyenger Obituary (1931

Gerald Lavon Boyenger was born on September 8, 1931 in Emmett, Idaho to Gerald Lucien Boyenger and Georgena Ellenor Smith. He was unexpectedly called home on September 28, 2021 after a brief, hard-fought battle with Covid-19. As an only child, he was fondly referred to as "Von" by his parents and was able to spend precious time with his maternal grandmother, Eleanor, and his great-grandmother, Margaret, who were active participants in his life during his formative years. He carried his love for them and his forebears throughout his life and shared their stories with his posterity. Gerald attended Nampa High School with memberships in the Honor Society, Quill and Scroll, Debate Club, Explorer’s Club, Key Club, VP of Spanish Club, Asst. Art Director, Student Council, as well as participating in Sophomore Football and Baseball. As a young adult, Gerald served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean War and attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He attended a local college on scholarship in Idaho before attending and graduating from BYU with a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Arts. He was named “Most Preferred” at the BYU Preference Ball in 1958, the Duke of the Golden Y Chapter of the Intercollegiate Knights, the Art Editor of the Wye Magazine, President of the Art Guild, and one of sixty top advertising students in the nation selected to attend "Inside Advertising Week" in New York City. Gerald met Sharon Lee Byers at BYU and they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in 1959. He is survived by their five children together during their 25 years of marriage: Julie Boyenger Stuart (Charles J. Stuart, III), Kristin Boyenger Ward (Tracy T. Ward), Cynthia Boyenger (R. Shane Ellis), Steven G. Boyenger (Andrea Bass), and Scott C. Boyenger (Tracy Taylor), 13 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. In his later years, he remarried Betty Dain Pettit. They enjoyed traveling and many cabin and boating adventures. They loved inviting their family and neighbors to gather at their Provo home to spend time together and swim in the pool—time cherished by all their posterity. He dearly loved Betty’s children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as his own. He is survived by Betty, his wife of 14 years, and her children: Thomas H. Pettit Jr. (Janae Ward), Heather Pettit Johnson (Roger Johnson), Daina Pettit (Laura Ware), Drucilla Pettit Christiansen Gubler (Jeff Gubler), Elizabeth Pettit Jeppesen (Garen Jeppesen), Kristen Pettit, 28 grandchildren, and 61 great-grandchildren. Jerry, as he was called in adulthood, was a true Renaissance man. He utilized his artistic talents as a youth doing hand-made signs, designing store windows, and eventually became a journeyman painter in his Idaho town to earn money for college. After college, his professional life began as an advertising executive and later a commercial and residential realtor. His family was blessed by his many abilities as he helped paint homes, build decks and patios, add sandboxes for the grandchildren, paint and design sets for musical performances, and many other plumbing and electrical repairs. Many grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren, were privileged to make memories with him re-finishing furniture and crafting winning Pinewood Derby cars. Some of the most prized possessions by his posterity are his masterful watercolors and life-like pencil sketches. Jerry enjoyed the blessing of great health and vitality throughout his life, regularly exclaiming, “I’m healthy, happy, and terrific!” Even as recently as this past year, he was known to carry toddlers on his shoulders or give rides on his back as he crawled around on the floor, and jog to and from the car when shopping. He seemed to have a boundless supply of energy to help anyone in need, rake someone’s leaves, or lend a hand to a neighbor or family member. Jerry’s ability to create beauty through his art and restore the seemingly un-restorable was a divine characteristic that continues to point his posterity to Jesus Christ, our Savior, who is the Master Creator and whose ultimate goal is to restore and present us, fully finished, to our Heavenly parents. We know that Jerry is with Them now and that he will continue to be present in the lives of all his children and grandchildren, aiding them on their journeys to return to their Heavenly home and there enjoy eternal family associations. A gathering to honor Jerry’s life of love and service will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, November 20, 2021 at the Oak Hills 9th Ward, 1960 North 1500 East, Provo, Utah in the Cultural Hall. Face masks are currently required in the church buildings. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com.