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Legion Post 114 completes pavilion in memory of a Sikeston veteran
SIKESTON — A new, memorial pavilion recently constructed near the Sikeston American Legion Post 114 Hall stands tall today, thanks to a generous donation by a late veteran and his family.
Jim Walton, Post 114’s finance officer, said years ago, the Legion purchased the house on the lot next to its hall and cleared everything.
“Our vision was to build something here for things like the (annual) cook-off,” Walton said.
According to Walton, the legion has a building fund and for several years has been raising funds to build the pavilion.
“We never really just had the money to make the bump over to build a pavilion,” Walton said.
It wasn’t until Jerry Boyd, the nephew of the late veteran, Dewey R. Boyd, contacted Walton that the pavilion funds were secured.
Boyd had no children, according to Walton, and his estate is trusteed by his niece and nephew.
Walton said the Legion received a total of $30,000 from the the Boyd family, which enabled them to construct the Boyd Memorial Pavilion.
Walton said the memorial pavilion was finished just in time for the Legion’s annual poker run and cook-off, which was Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27.
“It was completed in perfect timing for the cook-off,” Walton said. “We had a member here who basically built it. He gave us a really good price on building, and we have another member who has done all the electrical work and then some of the businesses in town have given us really good prices on the electrical equipment and that kind of stuff.”
According to Walton, Dewey R. Boyd was originally from Charleston, Missouri, and owned Courtesy Ford.
Boyd, who was a Sikeston resident, died in May 2023. Boyd served in the U.S. Navy. His active duty dates were Nov. 7, 1945, to July 11, 1946, and Feb. 17, 1953, to Aug. 21, 1955, and he was an E3 Fireman.
According to Walton, Boyd served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War.
Boyd worked as an insurance adjuster for Volkswagen Credit Corp. In 1964, he purchased the Courtesy Ford dealership in Charleston.
“He owned and operated the dealership for 45 years, retiring in 2009,” Walton said.
Boyd was a businessman at heart and enjoyed being involved in various entrepreneurial ventures through the years, including owning farm land in New Madrid County and Mississippi County.
According to Walton, Boyd’s nephew said he had helped approximately 17 different organizations.
Walton said the Legion is overjoyed and grateful for the donation for the memorial pavilion.
He said: “We can’t express our gratitude enough for just keeping us in mind.”