John Granville Boyer

John “JB” Granville Boyer,70 of New Castle, Delaware passed away on Sunday, February 11th. He was born on Thursday, July 30, 1953, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He was the second child of Joseph Granville and Gladys Holliday Boyer.

John grew up in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. He would fondly recall riding his bicycle around town, playing wiffle ball, and walking along the train tracks. Many days were spent with his brothers, mowing grass, raking leaves, and other odd jobs to help his father with his lawn care business. Although John would have rather been playing, he valued the strong work ethic his father instilled in him.

John was educated in the Kennett Consolidated School System. During his school career he was a good student, however he will be remembered significantly for his athletic prowess. He began running track on the Junior High Track Team in the seventh grade, but by the ninth grade he and his brother, Kevin, were informally running with high school team members while watching their older brother, David at track practice. John would become an outstanding high school track and field athlete who was offered an athletic scholarship. He was an exceptional cross-country runner whose talents were featured in the local newspapers. During those years, John could be seen training on the roads around Kennett Square. His athletic ability was equally featured as a baseball player, becoming an All-Star pitcher, hitter, and infielder in the local Little and Teener’s Leagues. He was a high school wrestler and participated in Band, playing the saxophone. He was involved in the Upward Bound Program at Lincoln University. John competed in and was also a spectator of the Penn Relays at Franklin Field in Philadelphia for over 50 years.

John had various careers over his lifetime. He worked at Lenape Forge and Gates Engineering for several years before switching to the banking industry. John worked in management for Discover Financial Services for over 20 years. He also worked for other local banking institutions before retiring in 2019.

John was a partner at Word of Life Christian Center for many years. He was the leader of the Parking Ministry. He also served on the Service Facilitation Ministry and the Finance Committee. John loved serving God’s house and he was richly rewarded with many friendships through his service.

John enjoyed talking, and he loved a good discussion even more. If it involved the Bible, Sports, or Politics even better! He enjoyed reading about and looking at cars. He loved music with a special affinity for the “mighty” Temptations and the “Elements of the Universe” Earth, Wind, & Fire. He especially loved Marvin Winans song “Who’s Gonna Tell Them.”

John had a passion for running. He competed in numerous road races including 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and full marathons. He would often be seen running around New Castle County training for his next event. His first marathon was the Marine Core in Washington, DC.  His favorite race was the Walt Disney World marathon in Orlando, Florida. He participated in this event many times. John loved Walt Disney World and the fact he could compete there made it even better. John proposed to his wife, D.D., during a Disney half-marathon. They had their own Disney Fairytale Wedding in 2003.

John and D.D. had many adventures traveling to destinations far and wide. Some of his favorite trips (outside of the Happiest Place on Earth) were to see the World Track & Field trials in Des Moines, Iowa and in “TrackTown USA” Eugene, Oregon. His last trip was to the sweetest place on earth – Hershey, Pennsylvania.

John was predeceased by his father, Joseph Granville Boyer, his mother, Gladys Holliday Boyer, and his father-in-law, William (Bill) L. Wilmer.

John is survived by his beloved wife Dawnya (“D.D.”); his baby girl, Ursula E. Boyer of Middletown, Delaware; his son, who he affectionally called “Johnny O”, John G. Boyer, Jr. (Kerry Ann) of Newark, Delaware; his grandchildren, Aliyah K. Ali of Middletown, Delaware and Layla A. Boyer & Joseph A. Boyer of Newark Delaware. His brothers, J. David Boyer (Martha) of Valley Township, Pennsylvania, Kevin T. Boyer (Sharon), of West Grove, Pennsylvania, and his sister G. Michele Boyer of Stone Mountain Georgia. His favorite mother-in-law, T. Deloris Wilmer of Earleville, Maryland and his brother-in-law, William (Bill) B. Wilmer of Earleville, Maryland. He also leaves to cherish his memory a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his church family.

Family and friends are invited to visit Word of Life Christian Center, 854 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, Delaware 19702 on Saturday, February 17th from 10:00-11:00am. Funeral services will begin at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John may be made to Word of Life Christian Center, 854 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, Delaware 19702 or www.wolcc.org/give.