Rober Dale

Boyd

Roger Dale Boyd Jr., known throughout different chapters of his life as “RD” and “Beau,” passed away on October 21, 2026.

Roger was born on May 25, 1970, in Winchester, Virginia, to Roger Dale Boyd Sr. and JoAnn (Carroll) DeShong. Following the loss of his father, Roger Boyd, JoAnn married Blair DeShong, bringing their family together as a family of five with sister Tina and brother Darin. The family eventually packed up their lives and traveled across the country to settle in Burns, Oregon, a community that would remain an important part of Beau’s story for many years. Their family grew once more in 1979, when Beau’s younger sister, Jenifer, was born in Burns.

Growing up in Burns, RD spent his days doing what kids in a small town did best, playing baseball, running around the neighborhood with friends, and, more often than not, finding a little trouble along the way. He had a mischievous streak from an early age and certainly knew how to keep his mother, JoAnn, on her toes. When Jenifer came along, teasing and tormenting his little sister naturally became another one of his favorite pastimes.

Little League was a memorable part of those years, with Blair serving as his coach and mentor. RD also enjoyed black-powder shooting with family and friends. Between baseball, shooting, neighborhood adventures, and whatever trouble he managed to find, RD gave his family no shortage of stories to tell.

RD graduated from Burns High School in 1989 and later began a new chapter of his life in Portland, Oregon. While living in Portland, he worked building cabinets, developing woodworking and craftsmanship skills that would remain part of his working life.

Throughout his life, Roger welcomed three children: his son, Brandon Oakley Boyd, in 1994; his son, Cole Jacob Boyd, in 2001; and his daughter, Mirabella Ann Boyd, in 2020.

Beau found his trade in construction, learning and working alongside Blair. Over the years, his work took him to homes and projects throughout Harney County, where he

helped build new homes, remodel old ones, and put his skills to work throughout the

community.

One particularly notable project was the renovation of the downtown Historical Central

Hotel. Beau contributed his craftsmanship to the extensive renovation of the historic

building, helping restore a piece of local history and return it to its beauty.

Outside of work, music was something Beau genuinely loved. He loved to sing and

play guitar, and some especially memorable moments were spent making music

alongside his brother, Darin. Whether it was picking up a guitar, singing a song, or

simply enjoying the music, it was a part of Beau that those closest to him will

remember.

Beau also possessed another skill that deserves proper recognition: sleeping. He was,

by all accounts, a professional sleeper and was always tired. If sleeping had been a

competitive sport, there is little doubt Beau would have taken first place and probably

slept through the awards ceremony.

Beau lived life in his own way. Like all of us, his story was complicated and imperfect,

filled with different seasons, relationships, struggles, accomplishments, mistakes,

laughter, and memories. Those who knew him will each remember different pieces of

that story—the mischievous kid running around Burns, the baseball player, the brother

with a guitar in his hands, the craftsman working alongside Blair, and the man who

could turn almost any available opportunity into a nap.

Beau was preceded in death by his parents, Blair and JoAnn DeShong and Roger

Boyd; his grandparts, Joseph and Francis Carroll; his uncles, Jack and Bobby Carroll;

and Shannon Fritts.

He is survived by his sons, Brandon and Cole; daughter, Mirabella; sisters, Tina and

Jenifer(Reginal); brother, Darin, and sister-in-law, Stephanie; nephews, Jory and

Klaton; and nieces, Erica, Kortney, Shyanne, Shealyne, Avery and Aalyiah.

Cousins;Miranda, Robbie, and Michelle.

In remembering Beau, his family honors the whole of his life—the good memories, the

complicated ones, the laughter, the music, and all of the years that made up his story.

Beau faced his share of struggles throughout his life, including battles with his mental

health that were not always visible to those around him. His family finds comfort in

hoping that he has finally found peace and that the weight of those struggles has been

lifted.

Beau’s story was uniquely his own. He was a son, brother, father, uncle, friend,

craftsman, musician, troublemaker, and professional sleeper. He was imperfect, as we

all are, and he will be remembered for the entirety of who he was.

May a familiar song, the sound of a guitar, an old baseball story, or the sight of

someone settling in for a really good afternoon nap bring back a memory of Beau and,

hopefully, a smile.