Former Warren County School Board Chairman Roy Boyles dies

Roy K. Boyles (Courtesy photo)

Longtime Warren County employee and former Warren County School Board member and chairman Roy Kearns Boyles, died at home on Friday, December 30, 2016 following an extended illness. He was 58 years old.

Mr. Boyles was born in Raleigh, NC and moved to Front Royal in 1964 with his family. He attended Warren County Public Schools and graduated from Warren County High School in 1976.

Boyles was a contributing, distinguished member of the community with over 37 years of service to educational, civic and charitable organizations. Following 21 years in the office of the Warren County Commissioner of the Revenue, he retired as a Master Deputy Commissioner III in 2015.

He served on the Warren County School Board for 11 years and was Chairman of the Board for four years. He was named President of the Virginia School Boards Association in November 2012, after holding several leadership positions in the VSBA.

Warren County School Superintendent Greg Drescher remembered his friend on Tuesday, recalling that Boyles was instrumental in keeping the board focused on student needs, “Roy’s passing is a huge loss to our community. I have known Roy since the late 1980’s when I was assistant principal at RJES.

Starting when we first met it was obvious that he cared for our community. This caring played itself out throughout his life in the many roles he had in our community.

As a school board member he was instrumental in getting our extensive building program completed. He always kept the best interests of students in front of us.

He rose to several leadership positions as a school board member, culminating in his appointment as the President of the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA).

He worked closely with other local officials and was always available to offer his insightful thoughts or be a listening ear.

He will be truly missed.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family as they go through this sad time.”

Mr. Boyles served as a member or officer of:  the Front Royal Rotary Club, the Kiwanis Club, the Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce, the Warren Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, United Way of Front Royal/Warren County, and the Salvation Army of Front Royal/Warren County. He also served as a deacon at Marlow Heights Baptist Church.

Warren County Administrator Doug Stanley, a longtime friend of Boyles, said Tuesday, “Roy was a committed servant of Warren County and a close friend of mine.  We are all deeply saddened by his passing but glad that he does not have to endure any further pain and suffering.

Roy was dedicated to his faith, his family, and his community.  Whether it was service through the Chamber, the Rotary Club of Front Royal, the Warren Memorial Hospital Board, or the School Board, Roy found ways to give back to his community and has helped to make it a better place to live and raise a family.  Front Royal-Warren County has truly been blessed.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Roy’s Family during this time of sorrow.

Roy will be missed by those of us who knew him and worked with him on a daily basis.”

Boyles is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sharon Chappell Boyles; two daughters, a grandson, a brother and a sister.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at the Warren County Middle School auditorium at 12 Noon followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m.