Grimes A. Boatwright

Grimes A. “Bo” Boatwright, III, was born on October 10, 1938, in Charlotte, NC, to Grimes A. Boatwright, Jr., and Mary Glenn Boatwright. Bo was a healthy, happy young boy who lived with his mother Mary, 2 years younger sister “Sistie”, Aunt and her husband and cousin Shirley and grandparents at their home during WW II years. His father Grimes and an Uncle John were war heroes injured in Europe and Northern Africa. His grandfather taught him many life and character building lessons before his passing when Bo was 6 years old - how to shoot a rifle, stoke coal, raise pigeons, work in a garden. Mary played the piano at a Baptist church and also Dilworth Methodist Church where Bo attended Boy Scout classes on Jesus’ life and teachings when he was in 5th Grade. He made his decision to follow Christ and joined his church and lived for Christ. He attended public school until 11th Grade when he went to Fork Union Military Academy in VA and 12th Grade at Georgia Military Academy in Atlanta. He was on the track team and later the freshman track team at NC State University in Raleigh. His track and military training memories would stay with him the rest of his life. He attended GA Tech and worked as a surveyor and at the State of Georgia building roads. He was in the Army 6 months active duty and 8 years Army Reserve and honorable discharge as Sergeant E6.

Bo met and dated Pat Barber for 3 years and they were married March 23, 1963. In 1964 he started his career with Transco (Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company) for 28 years in SC, VA, and Houston and retired early at 53. He studied for his Series 6 and 63 and had a second career in insurance, investments, financial planning for 25 more years.

Bo and Pat became parents to Laura in 1969 and she was and is the joy of their lives along with her husband Ting, daughter Macy, Ting’s son Putter and Ting’s parents and extended family.

Bo’s caring friendly manner was evident and endeared him to young and old. He was an Active Jaycee in SC and achieved Regional Director. He mentored several young boys for track events in SC, one who considered Bo as his second Dad. Bo and Pat loved to travel and attended the Summer Olympics Mexico City 68, Munich 72, Montreal 76 (with Laura), LA 84 (with Laura), Atlanta 96 (with Laura) and Sydney 2000. In 1980 the family spent 3 weeks in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.

Bo joined Second Baptist Church in November 95 and was ordained Deacon in March 96, serving until recently. He was a faithful member of Fountain of Life Bible Class, did flag and veterans color guard events, taught in the Friends International ESL day class for 20 years. Students were blessed as he found a way to relate to them and teach English and show the love of Jesus, and Bo was faithful to a prayer hour weekly for the Prayer Ministry.

Bo was preceded in death by his parents, beloved sister, Sistie Boatwright Howie, her husband, John Howie, brother-in-law Ronnie Barber. He is survived by wife Pat, daughter Laura, son-in-law Ting, granddaughter Macy and grandson Putter, brother-in-law Larry Barber (Barbara), his children Lorry Jensen and Kim Adair, sister-in-law Jinny Barber and her children Stephanie Layson and Michael Barber, niece Elizabeth Howie and nephew John Howie and their families.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Second Baptist Church, second.org to Missions or Children’s building fund, mail 6400 Woodway, Houston, TX 77057 or Houston Pregnancy Help Center on their website or by mail. Bo and Pat were active with pro-life for many years working to save babies and assist mothers and families.

Service for Bo is Thursday, April 6 at 4 PM, Second Baptist Church Sanctuary, 6400 Woodway with reception following in the Deacon’s Parlor. If unable to attend, service will be live streamed at second.org/liveevents