James "Jimmy" Boyer

James Gambrell Boyer, 94, of Lake Charles entered into eternal rest on Saturday, August 5, 2023.

Jimmy was born December 22, 1928 at Fort Benning, Georgia to Louise Gambrell and Captain Emile James Boyer.  After graduating from Lake Charles High School in 1945, he received his B.A. degree (1950) from Louisiana State University where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.  He obtained his Juris Doctorate (1951) at LSU and was admitted to the practice of law in Louisiana (1951) and Texas (1954).

Jimmy was married for 60 years to the former Helen House and is the father of William R. Boyer and Catherine B. Groos. He was doting grandfather to Amanda Groos, Allison (John) Burns, Caroline (Garrett) McGoey and James Groos and great-grandfather to Harper Louise Burns.

He was predeceased by his parents and adoptive father, Governor Sam Houston Jones; sister, Mary Louise Boyer; mother and father in-law, Catherine and Walter House; brother and sister in-law, William and Margaret Boyer; and  sister in-law, Alice Taussig.

He is also survived by his brother, Robert G. (Sarah) Jones; sister, Carolyn Jelks Jones; brother in-law, W. Richard (Barbara) House; former brother in-law, James E. (Karen) Taussig; and many loving nieces and nephews including, James (Claudia) Boyer, Lee (Shelley) Boyer, and Martha (Richard) Laborde and their children and grandchildren.

He served as Judge Advocate with the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was a member of the Retired Reserve with the rank of Major. Following his release from active duty in 1954, he practiced law with the firm of Jones, Kimball, Harper, Tete and Wetherill and served as City Attorney for the City of Lake Charles from 1960 to 1962. In 1970, he retired from the practice of law to become Chairman and President of Gulf National Bank at Lake Charles, and its successor, Premier Bank, Lake Charles Region.  During 1994, he retired from Premier Bank and was the recipient of the 1994 Civic Service Award by Chamber/Southwest Louisiana.

His past service includes President of Louisiana Bankers Association, Chairman of the State Vice-Presidents Group as well as member of the Governmental Relations Council of the American Bankers Association, member of the Board of Directors of New Orleans Branch of Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Chamber/Southwest Louisiana, Vestry and Senior Warden of Episcopal Church of Good Shepherd, Board of Directors of Premier Bancorp, Inc., Area Representative for the Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Air Force, Chairman of Calcasieu Parish Democratic Executive Committee, President of Calcasieu Parish Board of Elections, Member of State Central Democratic Committee, Trustee of Public Affairs Research Council of LA, Treasurer of Calcasieu Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, Crusade Chairman for Calcasieu Unit of American Cancer Society, Board of Directors of Imperial Calcasieu Museum, Inc., Co-Chair of Development Council for Partners in Progress of Chamber/Southwest LA, Chairman and Treasurer of Board of Trustees of Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and Campaign Chairman for United Way.

From 1996-2007, Boyer was a member of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board by appointment from Governor Mike Foster. From 2001-2004, he served as a member of Louisiana Tobacco Settlement Financing Board. From 2008-2011, he was a member of the Louisiana Board of Ethics by appointment from Governor Bobby Jindal.  He served as President of Mayboy, Inc.  He was a Lay Eucharistic Minister for the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd and was a member of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. His memberships include Young Men’s Business Club, American Legion, Reserve Officer’s Association (past Judge Advocate, LA Department), Louisiana State Bar Association (House of Delegates 1964-1970), State Bar of Texas and American Bar Association.

Jimmy enjoyed a good meal and martini with his family and vast network of friends.  He was an avid LSU, Saints and Astros fan.  He and Helen and lifelong friends made many memories in their travels around the world. He was king of the Krewe of Mystique and the Krewe of Contraband.  He enjoyed meeting his lunch bunch on Fridays at the Pioneer Club.  On any given day, he was puzzling with the game on, all while keeping friends entertained with stories and antidotes of his remarkable life.  All who knew Jimmy considered him a Southern gentleman and man of great character.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at the Harbor Hospice and the Guardian House.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church.  Father Andrew Christensen will officiate.  Burial will follow in Prien Memorial Park under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Visitation will begin in the funeral home on Tuesday from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and will resume in the church on Wednesday from 12:00 PM until the start of the service.