Cedar Bluff, VA - James "Jim" Bradley Boyd, passed from this life to meet his Lord on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

Jim was born in Raven, Virginia, on December 4, 1932, to Den Cook Boyd and Maude Reynolds Boyd. Jim was a 1950 graduate of Richlands High School and a 1956 graduate of Virginia Tech. He later earned an MBA from Averett College in 1992.

Jim worked for Pearl Wilson at the Raven Theater from 1944-1950. After high school, he began working for Howard Stanton at Southwestern Supply in Richlands before leaving for Virginia Tech. After Virginia Tech, he served three years with the Marine Corp from 1956-1959, before returning as the Plant Manager, Vice President of Virginian Metal Products, which was part of Southwestern Supply. The truck beds they made were sold all over the United States.

Jim was a proud Marine Corp veteran. He entered as a 1st LT after serving with the Corp of Cadets at Virginia Tech, later earning the rank of Captain. After he returned to Richlands, he was Commander of the Johnson City, Tennessee, Marine Reserve Unit for additional three years.

In 1994, he began working as the director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southwest Virginia Community College (SVCC), where he finally retired in 2007. In 1997 and 2005, he traveled to parts of Russia, including Armenia while part of a delegation from Bluefield State College to assist businesses there and establish trade relationships. He also worked with Dr. Sudakhar Jamkhandi and his Center of International Understanding (CIU) to train Russians about SBDC services at Bluefield State. He visited other parts of Russia in 2000 and 2001 to assist in establishing an SBDC at Lipetsk University. He was awarded the Association of SBDC State Star for Virginia in 2001, which was a National Award and was also awarded the Virginia Veterans Small Business Champion of the Year in 2007.

Jim was a charter member, deacon, and trustee of Gethsemane Baptist Church. He loved singing in the choir and teaching the Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class for over sixty years. He even made posters to emphasize many lessons. He also visited shut-ins with the Gethsemane Care Ministry and served on numerous committees for the church.

Jim was very active in his community and served on numerous community boards, clubs and organizations throughout his life including the Clinch Valley Community Action Board, SVCC Educational Foundation, Virginia Veterans Board, Community Assessment Committee, Tazewell County Economic Development Commission, Industrial Development Committee, People's Inc. in Abingdon, Richlands Area Community Chorus, and Citizens for the Arts to name a few.

He served as a Director at Richlands National Bank (later Premier Bank and First Virginia Bank) for sixteen years and recently served on the executive committee. He was past President of the Richlands Area Chamber of Commerce and while serving 4 years as the Banquet Chairman arranged for guest speakers Bobby Richardson, Paul Harvey, Neil Armstrong, and Abigail VanBuren (Dear Abby). In 1984, he was selected Citizen of Year by the Chamber when Richard Petty was the guest speaker. Jim himself was often asked to speak at many area events and was recently honored with a road dedication at Bluestone Industrial Park by local dignitaries.

Jim loved working in his yard and managed a large garden for many years. He always seemed to have a bumper crop of zucchini sharing extra produce with friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Doris Ann Whitt and Charlotte Compton. Survivors include his wife, Sylvia, of 64 years; son, James Bradley, Jr (Jill).; daughter, Karen Elizabeth and grandsons, Bradley and Seth. He is also survived by brother, Den C. Boyd, Jr. and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Singleton Funeral Service, Cedar Bluff, Virginia. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, March 23, at Gethsemane Baptist Church, 2902 Clinch St., Richlands, Virginia, with Pastor Lee Kidd officiating. Committal services will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens with full military rites by the Casey Shortt VFW Post 9640 and the United States Marine Corp Honors Team.

Pallbearers will be Bradley Boyd, Seth Boyd, Brett Boyd, Keith Boyd, Gary Compton, Randy Compton, Charles "Chuck" Whitt and Howard Overbay. Honorary pallbearers will be the Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class and the men of Gethsemane Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, suggest contributions to SVCC Educational Foundation, Gethsemane Baptist Church or the Good Samaritan Food Pantry in memory of James "Jim" B. Boyd.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.singletonfuneralservice.com

Singleton Funeral Service, Cedar Bluff, Virginia, is serving the family of Mr. Boyd.