Dr. Wyatt Wayne Boydston, M.D

Dr. W. Wayne Boydston, M.D., 82, of Odessa, MO, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his children Thursday, February 12, 2015.

Wayne was the only son of Paul W. Boydston and Helen M Shewey Boydston. He was born May 17, 1932 on a farm near Linkville, in Platte County, MO. The family moved to the Trimble area, and later to Grayson. Attending Grayson Grade School and then the Gower School District, Wayne graduated from Gower High School on his birthday in 1950 at the age of 18. He attended NWMSTC, Maryville, MO, for 3 years. He was hired to teach Chemistry at Maryville High School, but was drafted and served in the Army as an engineer during the Korean Conflict. While in the Army, he served in 3 locations; Ft. Riley, KS, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, and White Sands Missile Proving Grounds, NM. Wayne went back to NWMSC to finish his degree in chemistry, graduating in 1956. His first job after graduation was as a research chemist at Cook Paint and Varnish Company.

Wayne was accepted to University of Missouri Medical School, Columbia, MO, in 1956. The first day of Medical School he met his 3 lab partners, one named Catherine. Three years later, that partnership was made permanent. On October 17, 1959, Wayne married the love of his life, Catherine O. Dunstan. In 1960, they both graduated from MU with medical degrees. “The medical degree that I received in 1960 was extremely important to me, but the thing that I gained most during those 4 years was the most wonderful girl in the whole world, Catherine, my wife.” Following the completion of their internships at Kansas City General Hospital, they decided to specialize in Family Practice; moved to Odessa, MO, bought an office, a home, and began practicing medicine. He was on staff at the former Lexington Memorial Hospital, serving 2 terms as its Chief of Staff.

Wayne was very active in the Missouri State Medical Association, the Lafayette-Ray County Medical Society, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians. He was honored to have been elected President of the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians in 1982, Chairman of the Board of MAFP in 1983, and was selected as “Doctor of the Year” in 1994 for the state of Missouri. Wayne and Catherine closed their Odessa practice in April of 1992, moving into retirement.

Wayne was a member of the Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Boydston was on the Odessa R-7 Board of Education for 12 years, serving for 2 terms as its President. “I feel it was an honor to serve on the board of education. I feel you have to be on the board about 3 years and then you can actually serve the community.” “PawPaw”, as he was named by his Grandchildren, thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family, and especially enjoyed celebrating Christmas with all his family around him. He and Catherine were blessed with 3 children, John Wayne, Paul Dunstan, and Mary Catherine. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and family visiting various locations in Missouri, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, California, Canada, Florida, Illinois, and many more destinations. He was a devout Christian and an active member of the Odessa First Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon for 26 years.

Wayne was preceded in death by his loving wife, Catherine; his father and mother; sister, Barbara Jean and brother-in-law and best friend John C Lee. He is survived by his children John Wayne Boydston (Terry Stever) of Odessa, Paul Dunstan Boydston (Andrea) of Northridge, CA, Mary Catherine Boydston-Gardner (Tony) of Gower, MO. Seven grandchildren Jenni Moore (Michael) of Spring Hill, KS, Phillip Boydston (Ashley Stoneking) of Odessa, Fletcher Boydston of Northridge, CA, Courtney Gardner of Alma KS, Nick, Anthony, and Catelee Gardner of Gower, MO; Two great grandchildren Anson and Gentry Moore; His sisters Beverly Lee of Plattsburg, and Sandra Shepard of Kansas City. Several nieces and nephews and many friends.
Visitation will be Friday, February 20th, 6 - 8pm at The First Baptist Church, 100 West State OO Highway, Odessa. Services will be Saturday, February 21st, 2 pm at The First Baptist Church, Odessa. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the First Baptist Church Building Fund or the Odessa Senior Center. Arrangements are entrusted to the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home in Odessa, MO, 816-633-5524.