Leo George Boynton

Leo George Boynton, age 90, passed away peacefully at his home on November 15, 2023, in Sandy, Utah.  He was born on June 13, 1933, in Salt Lake City, Utah to George Walton Boynton and Doris Emma Butler.  He was married and sealed to Elaine Gertrude Faller on June 8, 1959, in the Logan, Utah Temple. 

Leo grew up in the Salt Lake Valley and his family eventually settled in Sandy, Utah where they farmed sugar beets and raised animals near where Rio Tinto Stadium and Hale Center Theatre stand today. He spent much of his childhood weeding. Even through his adulthood, he often whistled when it rained because that meant he didn’t have to go weeding that day. 

  He graduated from Jordan High School, as a true ‘Beet Digger’ and served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958.  While in the army, he played Saxophone for the US Army Southern Far East Band while stationed in Japan.  Leo later obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from Brigham Young University.  Leo was an educator at heart.  He taught 10^th grade at Bonneville High School, in Idaho Falls, followed by more than 30 years of teaching the fifth grade in the Murray School District at Longview and McMillan Elementary Schools.  In addition, he loved teaching everyone how to raise vegetable gardens and fruit trees, as well as how to preserve the harvest.  By reputation, Leo made the BEST jam: Peach, Apricot, and Pear-raspberry - a favorite of many grandchildren. 

He loves big band music and played for many high school dances and events.  He loved playing the Banjo, Saxophone, Clarinet, and Bassoon, but said the Saxophone was his favorite.  In addition, he and Elaine loved square dancing and were lifelong dancers, and members of the Happy Squares and Electric Squares, traveling from state to state to participate in many conventions and competitions. 

Leo served as a Full-Time Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Toronto, Canada Mission from 1953 to 1955.  He served faithfully in many callings in the Church throughout his life.  Upon retirement Leo and Elaine served two additional Full-Time missions.  The first in the Columbia, South Carolina Mission from 1994 – 1996.  The second in the Calgary Alberta Mission from 2000 – 2001, where he also taught English at the local school for Native Americans.   

Leo is preceded in death by his father, George Walton Boynton, mother, Doris Emma Butler, brother Joseph Charles (Charlie) Boynton, and sister Doris Mar Jean Kanady.

Leo is survived by his sweetheart, Elaine Gertrude Faller Boynton and their five children and spouses: Larry and Diane Boynton, Nadine and Rodger Nicolls, Jana and Robert Bailey, Glen and Stephanie Boynton, and Kent and Shelli Boynton.  In addition, they have 23 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.  He thoroughly loved being a father, grandfather, and great grandfather and could be found playing with them on the floor. He shared his love for the outdoors with his family, camping, canoeing, and fishing.

A viewing will be held on Monday, November 20, 2023 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM and from 10:00 AM – 10:45 am on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at the chapel located at 1970 East Viscounti Drive, Sandy, Utah. Funeral Services for Leo George Boynton will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 11:00 am at same address. 

Interment will be at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery located at 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah.

Flowers should be delivered to Memorial Murray Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East in Murray, Utah.