Boyett, Donald Lee

Col. Donald Lee (Don) Boyett USA/Ret. passed away on Sunday, June 19, 2022.

 

He was born in Detroit, Al., on June 15, 1933, to Elton and Vina (Todd) Boyett. He was preceded in death by brother, Hebron Boyett; sister, Jean Boyett Eitson; brother, Willard Boyett of Hillsboro, Alabama; and a twin sister Marie Grigsby of Fayetteville, Tennessee.

 

He is survived by his loving wife, Martha (Marti Hoback) of 40 years; two children, Jimmy Boyett of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Laura Jane Lepley (Stephen) of Knoxville, Tennessee; four grandchildren, Rachel Cullor (Alex) and Kevin Boyett (Kara) of Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia; Amy Lepley Brown (Martin) and Morgan Lepley Lingerfelt (Blake) of Knoxville, Tennessee. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren; two stepsons, Michael Halliburton and Ben Halliburton (Anne); five step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

 

Don grew up on a small cotton farm in Alabama. He graduated from Lawrence County High School in Moulton, Alabama. Following high school, he enrolled in North Alabama University at Florence and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Finance and Accounting. While in college, he also took Military Police ROTC and was commissioned as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army. Immediately following graduation from college, he was required to serve two years on active duty as a Military Police Officer in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

 

He then moved to Chattanooga where he worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority as an accountant and as a supervisor in property management for several years. During his work with TVA, he was transferred to Knoxville where he was able to obtain a Master of Science degree from the University of Tennessee. Following another mandatory active-duty military tour, he returned to Chattanooga where he served as comptroller for Williams Printing Company for 22 years.

 

Don loved the military. He had 30 years of service (1955-1985) including both active duty and Army Reserve assignments. He graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. He served as Chattanooga liaison officer for the United States Military Academy at West Point where he recruited 25 cadets for the academy including the first woman from Chattanooga. His reserve military service included two short tours in the Pentagon. He was nominated for Brigadier General while serving in the Pentagon. He was called back on active duty in 1977 where he was the project officer for a nation-wide study designed to improve the administration in Army Reserve units. He retired in 1985 as a Colonel.

 

Don was an active member of Brainerd Baptist Church for over 50 years. He served as a deacon, Assistant Treasurer, member of the finance committee, and Director of a singles Sunday School class for many years. 

 

A celebration of life will be at 12 p.m. on Friday, June 24, at Chattanooga Funeral Home, East Chapel. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. prior to services at the funeral home.

 

Graveside services will be in the Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors performed by the U.S. Army. 

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brainerd Baptist Church Missions. Arrangements are under the care of Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist East Chapel, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge, Tn. 37412.

 

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.