By Rory Archer
Dr. Jerry Boy at a retirement party in 2003.
Dr. Jerry Boy, 90, passed away early Friday morning, Oct. 2, 2026, at his home in Tucson, Ariz., surrounded by family.
Dr. Boy was born Oct. 26, 1935, in Toledo, Ohio, to Clara Deak and Edwin Boy. He graduated from Whitmer High School in 1953 and served in the U.S. Army for two years after the Korean War. Dr. Boy attended the University of Toledo, where he met and married his wife, Rosemary “Rosie” Hogan, on June 14, 1958, and graduated in 1959 with a bachelor’s in education. Dr. Boy then moved to Tucson, Ariz., to attend the University of Arizona, where he completed his doctorate in education in 1971.
Boy stationed at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Wash. in 1954.
Dr. Boy began working at Pima Community College in 1973 and became the college’s first Director of Financial Assistance.
Dr. Boy never missed work if he could help it, and was always willing to commute from Tucson’s east side to PCC’s west campus. While on campus, he often used the track and field during his lunch breaks and enjoyed watching Pima’s different sports teams.
Dr. Jerry Boy (Center) with his mother Clara (left) and daughter Lori (right) after earning his PhD in Tucson, Ariz.
Between then and his retirement in 1994, Dr. Boy signed off on thousands of scholarships and grants for students, and helped organize funds for the school’s baseball team. Dr. Boy was dedicated to ensuring as many students as possible received free financial assistance they wouldn’t have to pay back.
Fishing was one of Dr. Boy’s favorite pastimes; having purchased a small bass fishing boat in 1980, he took his family camping and visited places in southern Arizona such as Patagonia Lake, Peña Blanca Lake, and Rose Canyon Lake.
Dr. Boy before leaving for his first day of work at Pima Community College on Aug. 27, 1973.
Dr. Boy also made time for his family’s interests and commitments, missing none of his children’s sports or school events, involved with his wife’s community, and always proud to represent Pima Community College when he could.
After retiring, Dr. Boy enjoyed family cruises and loved taking them to Disneyland and Disney World. While Dr. Boy may never have complained about the Arizona heat, he and his wife often traveled to their summer home in Ohio, on a lake where he could enjoy his hometown and fish as much as he pleased.
Dr. Boy and his wife Rosie at a PCC Christmas party in 1984.
Dr. Boy is survived by his wife of 68 years, Rosie, his two daughters, Lisa and Lori, his son, Chris, and three grandchildren: Emma, Kyle, and Megan.
A private service will be held on Oct. 30, 2026, in Tucson, Ariz.