Longtime banker Blake Boyd, president of Lubbock-based Peoples Bank, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on April 8. He was 61. He spent the last several years of his life fighting lung cancer, although he never smoked a day in his life.

Boyd began his banking career in 1980 at Lubbock National Bank, where he was a part-time teller while attending college. From 1985–92, he worked as an examiner with the Texas Department of Banking. Boyd later served as president and CEO of Citizens Bank in Slaton. In 2012, he joined the Peoples Bank family as president, also serving on the boards of Peoples Bancorp Inc and Peoples Bank.

Originally from Crosbyton, Boyd graduated from Texas Tech University and the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. He served the community his entire life and was a member of the UMC Foundation board, as well as several committees, throughout his banking career.

Boyd enjoyed attending stock shows, playing golf and watching sports. He was passionate about helping kids in the community show pigs and steers at all of the local and state stock events. His biggest passion in life was his family, grandchildren, and his many nieces and nephews.

Boyd is survived by his wife, Felicia, and his children, Linsey and her husband, Aaron; Blake and his wife, Kristen; and Bryson. He is also survived by grandchildren Raeley, Blaikley, Griffin and Shepard; his mother, Beverly Moore and her husband, Bob; his father, Bill Boyd and his wife, Deborah; and brothers Byron and wife, Carol; Blair and wife, Tani; and Bobby Joe and wife, Kara.

“Blake will be missed by his Peoples Bank family, customers and lifetime friends in banking,” Peoples Bank notes. “His strength through the past three years was an inspiration to all and his quiet demeanor, laugh and smile carry on in each of us.”