Albert G. “Pete” Boyce Jr., 91, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at home on August 14th, days after his most recent beloved overseas adventure. His life was lived to the fullest and marked by hard work, family, service, and a curiosity and positive attitude that led to non-stop learning, exploring, making friends and enjoying all that this world has to offer.
Pete was born on December 6, 1932 in Amarillo, Texas to Albert G. Boyce Sr. and Jean Jennet Boyce. Growing up in Hollywood, California during World War II he maintained his Texas heritage with summers in Texas and working on a family ranch in King City, California. He graduated from U.C. Davis in 1955 with a B.S. in Animal Science. Following two years as an officer in the United States Army he began his professional career, first working on a ranch in Salinas, California where he met and married Virginia L. Boyce. He then began working for Bank of America and eventually managing bank branches throughout the California Central Valley. The family settled in Manteca in the 1970’s where he managed the Bank of America branch until “retiring” in 1980 and opening an office to manage family investments. He was President of the Manteca Chamber of Commerce in 1978 and an advocate for attracting businesses and investment to Manteca.
Pete was heavily involved in oil exploration and production in both Texas and California through the 1980’s and early 1990’s. He was President of the California Independent Petroleum Association in 1992, representing Tannehill Oil Company. Following the sale of Tannehill in the mid-1990’s he was actively involved - to the present - with his son, Albert G. Boyce V, and Mike Atherton in the development of single
family homes in Manteca, as well as real estate development in Maui. His son and grandsons continue this work. Pete’s passions throughout life were sailing and cattle. He actively raced four different boats, all named “Edelweiss”, for decades on San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean and was a member of Richmond Yacht Club and Stockton Sailing Club. He was Chairman of the San Francisco Bay Yacht Racing Association in 1979 and a member of the Board of Directors for the United States Yacht Racing Union from 1978 through 1988. He was a big supporter of Junior Sailing and loved following the “America’s Cup”. In the late 1990’s he cruised his boat throughout Baja, Mexico and the West Coast of Mexico. Regarding cattle, aside from raising cattle on his ranch he and his wife Virginia were active breeders of Texas Longhorn cattle and showed at many State Fairs. Pete was a Director of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America. On his passing he was still raising and fattening for sale black angus “weaners” on his ranch.
Pete was predeceased by his beloved wife, Virginia L. Boyce, his brother, William J. Boyce, and his
daughter-in-law, Marianne M. Boyce.
He is survived by his children: Mary K. Boyce-Belsher and husband Jim Belsher, Albert G. Boyce V and wife Nadja E. Boyce, his grandsons: Thomas M. Boyce, Evan W. Boyce, Trevor A. Boyce, and great-grandson, Jaylen R. Boyce.
A Celebration of Life will be held at his Manteca ranch on October 5, 2024. Please email: albertboyce<\@>gmail.com for more information. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of one of his favorite causes: Crow Canyon Archaeological Center at crowcanyon.org
Alzheimer’s Association (In memory of Virginia Boyce) at alz.org American Cancer Society (In memory of Marianne Boyce) at cancer.org
Por Los Ninos de Zijuatanejo at porlosninos.com/
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, August 24, 2024
