Oscar Boyd Wynne, III was born February 3, 1943 in Tampa, FL and died on April 11, 2023. Boyd attended Woodrow Wilson Junior High School and H.B. Plant High School where he was a three-year letterman and captain of the Varsity Swim team. He married his high school sweetheart Janice Geraci Massari on June 25, 1965.
He attended Florida State University before enlisting in the U.S. Army where he was selected for the warrant officer flight program and later received a battlefield commission. Boyd served two tours in Vietnam flying UH1 medevac helicopters and later AH1 Cobras. He received numerous commendations among them the Silver Star, multiple Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart.
After leaving the service in 1971 Boyd returned to Tampa and went to work at Food Equipment Supply Company where he would spend his entire professional career. He never lost his love of flying and spent his weekends flying the Eagle 8 helicopter for WFLA News Channel 8 through the next three decades.
Boyd was an active leader with the Boy Scouts of America guiding many young men in Troop 23. He was also a most enthusiastic member of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla for over 35 years where he formed the Special Events Committee representing the Krewe in the community and the City of Tampa across the country.
In addition to YMKG, Boyd was a member of Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, The Rotary Club of Tampa, The Tampa Yacht and Country Club and a 50-year member of The Merrymakers Club. He was also very proud of his membership in the American Legion and the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association.
Boyd was predeceased by his parents Oscar Boyd Wynne, Jr. and Ruth Ley Cooper Wynne, sister-in-law Patti Massari Hall, and his wife Jan. Boyd is survived by his children Oscar Boyd (Bo) Wynne, III (Rosita) of Baker, FL and Patricia Wynne Thomas (Clay) of Tampa, FL, and grandchildren Chad Wynne, Walker Thomas and Wynne Thomas. He is also survived by his younger brothers Lesley Wynne (Gail) of Waynesville, NC, Edward Wynne (John Payne) of Dallas, TX and Norman Wynne (Patsy) of La Grange, GA as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
One of his greatest enjoyments was cruising worldwide with his wife Jan and in his later years spending time with his three grandsons.