Charles M. Boyer – Colonel, United States Army

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Courtesy of Brett D. Robinette: October 2006

Charles (“Count”) M. Boyer was born in Tarkio, Missouri on January 24, 1887. His twin brother Ralph A. Boyer died in 1911. His parents were William N. Boyer and Lucy Ware Boyer.

Charles attended William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, where he graduated in 1912 with letters in 4 sports, football, baseball, basketball and tennis.

He was married in to Irene Hunter Boyer in approximately 1910. They had a son. Both Irene and the son died several years later.

He was active in the Kiwanis Club in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia. He spent time as a volunteer for a children’s orphanage in Atlanta where he was lovingly called “Daddy.”

Charles and Ruby Lee Boyer were married February 6, 1926. They had one daughter who survives them, Sarah L. Boyer Jenkins. Colonel Boyer died June 26, 1973 and Ruby Lee died February 1, 1998. Colonel Boyer’s death was published in the Congressional Record-Senate July 2, 1976.

Colonel Boyer fought in World War I where he was awarded medals for distinguished service. He was discharged in 1919 when the war ended. Following the war he continued in the Reserve as the Commander of the 524th Coast Artillery Reserve Unit.

After retirement he joined the insurance field with Phoenix Mutual (Tennessee) State Mutual (Georgia) from which he left to again serve his country in World War II (1940-46), rising to full Colonel. He served in Fort Barrancas, Pensacola, Florida, 4th Service Command, Atlanta, Georgia, Fort H.G. Wright in Long Island Sound, New York, and Chief of Staff’s Office on the staff of General George C. Marshall at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. At Fort Wright he was the Commander of the Coast Artillery Anti-Aircraft Coastal Defense. He was deeply involved with what then was a secret radar.

Following his army career, he was the Executive Director of The Reserve Officer’s Association in Washington, D.C. He served in that capacity until 1956.

He and his wife were very active in the Georgia State Society.

He refereed football for the Southern Football Officials’ Association in Atlanta, Georgia.

He won the Southern Veterans Tennis Championship after World War I. He actively played tennis at Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia, before and after his army retirement. Colonel Boyer continued in tennis until he was 84. He served on the Board of Governors and Tennis committee of ANCC.

He and Ruby Lee were founding members of Fairlington United Methodist Church where a Memorial Garden bears their names. Col. Boyer was an active fund raiser for the church, Building Committee Chairman, Finance Commission member and Board of Trustees member.

He was a popular sought after speaker for many functions, famous for his jokes which were clean and funny!

His book “Laughing with Count” continues to bring laughter from all who read it.

Even he did not know how he acquired the nick name of “Count”!

From a contemporary press report:

Ruby Lee Boyer, 93, a former freelance Washington model and founding member of Fairlington United Methodist Church, died of a cardiovascular disorder February 1, 1998at Sleepy Hollow Manor Nursing Home in Annandale. Mrs. Boyer, who lived at the nursing home since 1994, was a longtime Arlington resident.

From 1952 to 1978, she was a matron model for many Washington area department stores, including Woodward & Lothrop, Jellefs, Raleighs and Lady Hamilton.

Mrs. Boyer, who was born in Lavonia, Georgia., came to the Washington area during World War II. She was a member of the Reserve Officer’s Ladies Club and a former member of the Army Navy Country Club.

Her husband, retired Army Reserve Colonel Charles M. “Count” Boyer, died in 1976.

Survivors include her daughter, Sarah Boyer Jenkins of Rockville.

BOYER, RUBY LEE

On Sunday, February 1, 1998, at Sleepy Hollow Manor Nursing Home, RUBY LEE BOYER of Arlington, VA; wife of the late Charles (Count) M. Boyer, Col. USA (Ret.); mother of Sarah Boyer Jenkins. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Jasper (Jack) K. Jenkins and nephews, Roy and Ed Queen, and their families, of Georgia. Friends may call at Fairlington United Methodist Church, 3900 King St., Alexandria, VA on Thursday, February 5 from 2 to 4 and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Interment Arlington National Cemetery at 9 a.m. Friday, February 6, followed by a memorial service at Fairlington United Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m. Memorials may be made to Fairlington United Methodist Church.

BOYER, CHARLES M
Colonel, United States Army

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 01/24/1887
  • DATE OF DEATH: 06/28/1976
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 11  SITE 494-4
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

BOYER, RUBY LEE

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 08/27/1904
  • DATE OF DEATH: 02/01/1998
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 11  SITE 494-4
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  • WIFE OF CM BOYER, COL, USA

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