JAMES BOYKIN'S ENDUR ING LEGACY

JAMES BOYKIN'S

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Photos provided by THE FAMILY

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Boykin with his grandson, Max, at Bill Morris Park. James W. Boykin died in October 2019, at the age of 80 years old. But, he left a legacy in business and of service to the community that will long endure.

Most known for the business he owned and managed for decades, Boykin Erectors, James Boykin was originally from Savannah. After serving the U.S. Army after high school, he returned to Savannah, where he joined Steel Erectors as their crane mechanic and crane operator. In 1972, his father, James "Earl" Boykin, started Boykin Erectors to support a major expansion at Rayonier. Boykin commuted from Savannah to Jesup to help his Dad on nights and weekends for over a year before finally moving his wife, Loretta, and four children to join the family's business.

After the death of his father (Earl) in 1974, Boykin became president of Boykin Erectors. He grew it from a small handful of employees in a 2,500 square foot building to well over 100 employees with a crane division, steel fabrication shop, carpenter/millwright division, and a steel erection company.

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TOP: James and Loretta's family at Griffin's high school graduation. BOTTOM: A younger James Boykin at Boykin Steel and Crane.

"My Dad loved his family and friends unconditionally and was the most respected man I ever knew. Just imagine John Wayne, General Patton, Dean Martin, Don Rickles, and a little bit of Jack Nicklaus rolled into one. You knew where you stood with him, and if he didn't like something or thought you could do better, he didn't hesitate to let you know, which is a rarity these days. People just assumed he was a wealthy man because he owned a business, but in reality, what he earned he gave away to others to help them. However, he was incredibly wealthy in terms of friendships and relationships with so many people in Wayne County and across Georgia. I can say this now that he has passed, but I don't know of anyone that genuinely gave so much to Wayne County and others while always avoiding recognition for it.

He also earned a reputation for his honesty, integrity, and putting others first. "His word was his bond, and his integrity was never questioned," Jimbo explained. "He created an amazing family atmosphere at his company that is rare in business. He also believed in giving people second chances. "My dad strongly believed that everyone deserved a second chance and helped countless others by giving them a job "JAMES BOYKIN WAS VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING ME INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN 1999. HE SAID COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT WAS THE MOST SATISFYING AND REWARDING THING YOU CAN EVER DO. YOU LOOK AROUND THE COMMUNITY AND SEE SO MANY THINGS MR. B HAS DONE OR HELPED MAKE HAPPEN. HE WAS A COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR WHOSE LEGACY WILL FOREVER BE REMEMBERED." - MAYOR DAVID EARL KEITH

when they had nowhere else to turn and helped them to provide for their families."

Boykin's commitment to doing the right thing never wavered. Mike Burch, a former general manager of Rayonier who joined the Jesup plant in 1994, said Boykin's company truly reflected his personal life and characteristics. "Mr. James was indeed a gentleman, a very astute and successful businessman who epitomized who a business owner should be, full of character and integrity, service-oriented, capable and very committed to the community."

Boykin undoubtedly left a strong legacy in the industry in which he worked his entire career. A legacy of leadership and service for others to follow.

Besides his family, he felt his first commitment should be to his employees. He worked to secure health coverage for the local carpenters union and countless other improvements that benefitted his employees. He served as a trustee on several union pension and health and welfare fund committees due to his strong belief in supporting workers. During tough economic times, he refused to lay off good people when many other businesses were reducing their labor force.

He was a mentor to his peers and built what many would call "the most respected company in the industry" due to his unwavering commitment to "doing the right thing" and surrounding himself with people of the strongest character and work ethic. He was more concerned with protecting the company's reputation than merely making a profit.

His service extended beyond the business world. He actively began investing in the community as soon as he arrived in Jesup in the 1970s. "My dad strongly believed that he should give back because God had blessed his family and business by keeping his employees safe and always providing the next job when things were slow," Jimbo said. It seems he touched almost every aspect of the community in one way or another and left it better than he found it.

There is a long list of places and people

TOP LEFT: James left a strong legacy in the industry in which he worked for his entire career.

BOTTOM LEFT: On the mound at the WCHS baseball field with grandson, Griffin.

TOP RIGHT: James and Loretta Boykin with the staff at Georgia Dermatology. James helped convince Georgia Dermatology to open an office in Jesup, and he was their first patient. They honored him before he died. "Last week, we spent time honoring this amazing man. We reminisced and joked and loved on him. He was by far one of the most generous men God put on this earth. We will miss him greatly, and we are all better people for having his influence in our lives."

"HE WAS BY FAR, ONE OF THE MOST GENEROUS MEN GOD PUT ON THIS EARTH."

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he helped. He donated cranes, labor, and equipment to churches for projects at no cost. He also helped individuals who were facing hard times.

Joe Ierardi, CEO of Wayne Memorial Hospital, recalls Boykin's support for building a new hospital and a critical conversation in 2004 that helped spark that significant effort. "Mr. James visited me at the hospital, and he talked about how important healthcare was for the future of Wayne County and its citizens. We walked around the building and the entire campus. We looked under the building, above ceiling tiles, and in mechanical rooms, leaving no stone unturned. We went back to my office, and he said to me, 'Joseph, we've got to build a new hospital.'" From that point on, there was no bigger champion for building a new hospital than James Boykin. He was adamant that it would improve the quality of life in Wayne County," Joe said. "That was always his main priority - improving the quality of life for others. When you coupled that with his 'get it done' mentality, that was exactly why James Boykin was so remarkable. He put others first and made things happen."

One of the areas he is probably best known for supporting is recreation. He drew a strong correlation between a community's recreation program and its citizens' quality of life. He wanted all kids, regardless of their background, to have an opportunity to participate in the sports programs.

One of his main areas of focus was Bill Morris Park, the main sports recreation park in the community. He made considerable financial donations towards improving facilities at Bill Morris park, Wayne County schools and Athletic Facilities, local Churches, non-profit organizations, local governments, and including helping surrounding counties. That is a tradition that his company still carries on today.

Boykin also served in key leadership roles in the community, including serving twelve years as a county commissioner and serving as chairman of that body for three terms. He was a part of a team that made considerable improvements to Wayne County during that time and was able to work with everyone. The Wayne County Touchdown Club presented him with the "Yellow Jacket Community Service Award" for his years of dedicated service and contributions to enhancing sports and recreation. First Baptist Church honored him in 2019 for his service through the years. The Recreation Department named the lake at Bill Morris Park for him because of his "outstanding and selfless acts for Wayne County youth." Many people thought a lot of James Boykin, and his good deeds and selfless acts have touched countless lives. But, at the end of the day, it's how your family thinks about you that matters most. "He was simply far more than a fatherin-law to me. He was a gift from God," said

ABOVE: The lake at Bill Morris Park is named for Mr. James Boykin for his longstanding support of recreation in the community.

LEFT: Unbeknownst to the family, employees of Boykin Steel and Crane provided a fitting tribute to James during his funeral procession.

daughter-in-law Celia Boykin. "He was 'superman strong' yet so tenderly loving to all of us! He loved his family more than anything, and he made sure we all knew it daily. Though he battled through many illnesses that left him physically marked that would hamper anyone's outlook on life, that never stopped him. When my oldest son, Griffin, was born, he stood and promised him that he would live to see all of his grandchildren grow up and that he did, against many health odds. His strength was incomparable. He loved his children and grandchildren with all of his heart and you always knew that Papa James was going to be at any ballgame or activity that the kids had. He taught me so much more than he will ever know. We are all the better for knowing him." |WM