Boyce Elwin Lavender Jr., 75, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
Boyce was a lifelong resident of Newport News, a 1966 graduate of Warwick High School and the NASA Apprentice School. He worked at NASA for 38 years, retiring in 2004 as the Executive Director of Wind Tunnel Research.
Outside of his family, Boyce had two great passions: hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Ramblers Hunt Club in Jamaica, Virginia for over 40 years, recently serving as President for the last 5 years. When he wasn’t in the woods hunting, he could often be found on his boat on the Hampton Bar, fishing for flounder. With a love for sports, he never missed a Washington Commanders or Nationals game, as well as a NASCAR race. In more recent years, he developed a love for cooking and became known as “Chef Boyce.”
He was a devoted caregiver for his wife in her later years. Boyce was preceded in death by his parents, Boyce Sr. and Bessie Lavender, and his brothers, PC Dillard and Billy Dillard. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kathy Lavender; his daughter, Kay Caldwell (Ted); his son, Rob Lavender (Kristen); and his grandchildren, Kayleigh, Matthew, Mackenzie, and Ryan.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Weymouth Funeral Home in Newport News. Funeral Services will begin at noon at the funeral home chapel followed by interment at Peninsula Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Heart Association.
