Obituary of Phyllis Kaye Boatner

Phyllis Kaye Boatner was born in Peach Orchard, Arkansas on November 8, 1940.  Kaye was raised on a farm in rural Arkansas and attended Delaplane High school in Delaplane Arkansas.  During high school she played junior varsity basketball.

In 1955 she married James Boatner who was serving in the US Air Force.  During Jim’s Air Force career they were stationed in Colorado and Minnesota added two children to their family.

Shortly after, Jim was discharged from the US Air Force. He took a job with IBM moving the family to Kingston, New York where their third child was born.

During the next six years Jim was employed by several computer companies working on government contracts which meant the family moved several times taking the family to New York, Michigan, Minnesota, California and Pennsylvania. 

In 1966 the family moved to Jonesboro, Arkansas so Jim could attend college and work at Arkansas State University. While there Kaye took a job with the University as well.  Upon Jim’s graduation in 1967 they moved to Memphis, Tennessee and then Dallas, Texas.  Finally, the family made the last big move to Newberg, Oregon in 1969.  Several years later they moved to Klamath Falls and finally settled in Scotts Mills, Oregon in the early 80’s.

During the many moves, Kaye received her, “GED.”  Later, while in Oregon she received a certificate in “record keeping” from Chemeketa Community College in Salem Oregon. Later, while working for the Marion County Circuit Courts as a court clerk she attended City University in Bellevue, Washington. working towards a bachelor's degree in “business administration.” She retired from the Marion County Circuit Court in 1999.  

Kaye was “mom” to five children, she enjoyed attending their school functions, especially basketball and football games. While the children were growing up the family enjoyed camping trips and traveling. After the children were grown, Kaye and Jim expanded their travels with many road trips.  They traveled extensively throughout the US visiting 47 states including Alaska and Hawaii as well as several Canadian Providences.  Kaye enjoyed seeing birds and all kinds of wildlife.  She developed quite a talent for spotting birds on their travels, her favorite being eagles and Sandhill Cranes.  Kaye also had a special gift with babies and animals.

From a young age Kaye was a faithful member of the Church of Christ, she was a member of the Newberg, Klamath Falls, Silverton, North Santiam, and lastly the Molalla Church of Christ. She enjoyed teaching bible classes and helping with special events.

Just prior to her passing Jim and Kaye celebrated sixty-seven years of marriage.  They lived a long and enjoyable life together.  

She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings and survived by her loving husband, Jim Boatner, children:  Debra Barnard, James Boatner (Julie), John Boatner (Rhonda), Stephanie Shackelford (Matthew), Robert Boatner, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.  She loved them all. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to Molalla Church of Christ disaster relief fund.