Murphy Boyd Respess | Eastern NC Now

    Mr. Murphy Boyd Respess, age 82, loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at his home surrounded by family.

    Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, April 18, 2026 from the Chapel of Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington, conducted by Billy Ray Askew and Jason Adams. Burial will follow in Pamlico Memorial Gardens, Washington.

    The following will serve as pallbearers: G.B. Bowen, Stacey Bowen, Derick Tetterton, Greyson Tetterton, Ashley Woolard, Fred Tetterton, Michael Cutler, and Eugene Clark. Michael VanStaalduinen will serve as honorary pallbearer.

    Boyd Respess was born in Beaufort County, NC on November 5, 1943. He was the son of the late Murphy Leon Respess and Magdalene Boyd Respess. He was a 1962 graduate of Pantego High School. Boyd married Susan Hulbert Respess on March 29, 1963. In his early years, Boyd worked in several locations including farming on the family farm and Weyerhaeuser but ultimately his love of aviation drove him to expand into his final career in agricultural aviation. Boyd had completed his pilot's license at the young age of 18 and dreamed of becoming a crop duster throughout his life. Upon achieving this dream, Boyd loved to fly his yellow bi-wing AgCat and was often seen soaring through the skies over Beaufort County. Boyd was an active pilot until the age of 78 when he took his last flight in a Turbin Thrush. Boyd also served as a past president of North Carolina Agricultural Aviation.

    After the passing of Boyd's first love, Sue Respess, God offered Boyd a second chance at love. Boyd married Judy Alligood in 2021 and they spent the remainder of his days enjoying each other's company and companionship. Boyd was a devoted and active member of Terra Ceia Church of Christ where he served as an Elder, Sunday school teacher, and mentor to many. His faith was devout and unwavering as an essential part of his daily life. In his free time, Boyd had a great love for horses and trail riding. He also loved to talk of his younger days and his love of driving fast cars. His family will always remember him for his love and devotion to Jesus, his kind & caring heart, and his confident stride in his cowboy boots.

    Boyd is survived by his loving wife, Judy, his three children, Murphy Todd Respess and wife, Patricia of Creswell, Sherri Elizabeth Crouch and husband, Burleigh of Ayden, Christopher Hulbert Respess and wife, Suzanne of Washington; grandchildren, Jessica Respess Saxton of Tennessee, Amanda Elizabeth Respess of Kansas, Allysa Sue Respess of Missouri, Murphy Noah Respess (Aleah) of Kansas, Joseph Roland Smith III (Rachel) of Belhaven, Catherine Anne Slade (Jordan) of Washington, Hailey Corbin Respess of Richmond, VA, and Hanna Grace Respess of Raleigh; nine great grandchildren, Wyatt Saxton, Adalynn Saxton, Lakota Porter, Lane Porter, Mavrick Smith, Blakely Williams, Brooks Smith and Lila Slade. Surviving siblings: sister, Loretta Respess Bowen (George) and brother, Gary Respess (Elaine) of Pantego.

    In addition to his parents, Boyd was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Sue Respess.

    The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, April 17, 2026 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington and other times at his home, 5450 Old 97 Road, Pantego, N.C. 27860.

    Flowers are appreciated.

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Respess family.