James Boyd

J. Harper Boyd, 94, died in Lake Charles, LA. on August 23, 2025. Harper was a native Olla, LA. He moved to Lake Charles in 1950 while working as a Surveyor of Gulf State Utilities Engineering Department. Harper founded Boyd's Bit Services & Rental Tools in 1978 and held six US Patents. He served on the Board of Directors of the Southwest Louisiana Chapter of the American Petroleum Institute for over ten years and was a recipient of their meritorious Service Award in 1982. He entered the petroleum industry in 1953 with Lane Wells Co. and worked with The Dia-Log Co., Wilson Fishing Tool and Directional Drilling. Harper was an Army Veteran, a member of Christ The King Catholic Church, Perpetual member of Aurora Lodge 193 of New Iberia, a 32-degree Scottish Rite mason and member of Habibi Shire Temple of Lake Charles.

Harper is survived by Betty Derouen Boyd, his wife of 75 years, their four sons and wives, Creig and Dianne Boyd of Palmer Alaska, Keith and Celeste Boyd of Lake Charles, Dwayne and Danette Boyd of Dry Creek, Ray Boyd of New Iberia, Nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and his sister Emma Jean Bardford of Pollock.

He is preceded in death by his parents Curtis C. and Helen King Boyd and two brothers, J.D. Boyd of Olla, LA. and Elmer Ray Boyd of Jena, LA.

Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake St. Lake Charles, LA. 70605, Wednesday, August 27, 2025, beginning at 11:00am with a Rosary to be recited at 2:00pm followed by a Rite of Christian burial at 2:30pm. Entombment will follow at Consolata Cemetery.