John Boyd Onderdonk

Boyd Onderdonk, 72, passed away on Wednesday, November 6, staying true to his style of an “Irish Goodbye” going suddenly and quickly. Boyd made his grand entrance to the world on June 2, 1952, in Harlingen, Texas, and eventually traded in his Texas boots for sandy shores, passing away in Laguna Vista near South Padre Island which always had his heart. He wasted no time heading up to the pearly gates, where he’s surely already catching up with his parents, Johnny and Marlene Onderdonk, and swapping stories with his brother, Gary.

Boyd leaves behind his cherished partner-in-crime, Sherri; his pride and joy, his ‘one and only’ daughter, Lisa Case, along with her husband and Boyd’s favorite son-in-law, Jason; two little dynamos he adored, grandsons Bretton (5) and Callen (2); his sister and fellow troublemaker, Karen Boykin, and her husband, Len; and his ‘brother from another mother,’ the legendary Larry Bandemer.

He kicked off his early years stirring up mischief with his lifelong buddy Larry in Mercedes, Texas, where he proudly donned the orange and white of Mercedes High. Eventually, he made his way to Austin, where he met the love of his life and built a legacy steeped in faith and family. His personality was as vibrant as the tropical shirts his bride lovingly crafted by hand—each one a perfect match for the charm that drew people to him like a Texas sunset.

A love for camping with friends and family kept him busy throughout his child-rearing years, where campfire tales grew taller with each telling and laughter echoed under starry skies. Swapping fifth wheels for three wheels, he hit the open road with his wife in tow on his motor trike, cruising cross-country with friends and turning parking lots into endless parties. He eventually swapped the open air for the cozy confines of a smart car—embracing the Austin vibe with a little more city flair and a little less wind in his hair. He finally retired to Laguna Vista, returning to his beloved Rio Grande Valley, where his days were filled with sand between his toes and endless golf cart cruises, soaking up the sun and salty breeze right up to the very end.

The celebration of life will be on Monday, November 11th at 2 pm CT at Island Baptist Church, 107 W Mesquite St., South Padre Island, TX 78597

Rock your BRIGHTEST island vibes! Think Hawaiian shirts, shorts, and flip-flops—just like Dad’s signature style!

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Children of the Nations whose mission is to provide holistic, Christ-centered care for orphaned and destitute children, enabling them to create positive and lasting change in their nations. Donate Now: https://www.cotni.org/donations

The service will be streamed from the Island Baptist Church YouTube channel