Edward Boatman

Edward Murl Boatman, 91, left us to be with his beloved bride, Virge, on Sunday, April 28, 2024. His final hours were spent at his home in Plano, Texas surrounded by family.

Ed was born in Rising Star, Texas to Melvin and Geneva (Brackett) Boatman where he spent his early childhood with his brother, James, and sister, Nelda. Growing up he was active in organized sports, playing football and baseball.

After high school Ed went to work for T&P Railway and was responsible for maintaining hundreds of miles of railroad track. He became close friends with a young man from Ranger, Texas named James Verner, through a shared passion for fast cars. Varner would introduce Ed to the love of his life and wife of 66 year, Virgie Mae Glenn. Not long afterwards, in 1953 at age 19, Ed enlisted in the Army. June 1954 he and Virgie were married and moved to Ft. Bragg. Upon discharge from the Army, Ed joined the Army Reserve, where he was promoted to Captain, and enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin while Virgie worked for the State of Texas and other local businesses.

After graduating college with a MS in Petroleum Engineering, Ed went on to enjoy a long career in the oil industry with extended tenures at Texaco and British Petroleum Corp.

Throughout these years Ed and Virgie were active members of their community and the Church of Christ, where Ed served as a Deacon, taught bible classes, and performed numerous ministerial services, in addition to raising two boys, Alan and Mark, along the way. Ed and Virgie called many Texas locations home throughout his career; El Campo, Liberty, Houston, Corpus Christi, Plano, Sugarland and then finally returning to Plano to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Ed was a devoted family man who actively participated in his sons scholastic and extracurricular activities. Attending their sports activities and working on cars were favorite pastimes. Camping was a frequent family activity as well as a great way to see the country and learn about history. Ed enjoyed visiting state parks where they would go site-sightseeing, hiking, fishing, and river rafting. An avid golfer, Ed also bought each son their first golf clubs so they could join him out on the links.

As grandchildren came along Ed and Virgie made every effort to visit as often as they could, logging many miles between Sugarland and Plano over the years. They eventually moved back to Plano once Ed retired and became an integral part of their grandchildren’s loves; picking them up from school, taking them to activities or just out for ice cream, having them for sleepovers and giving them free reign to raid the pantry whenever they visited. Ed was a loving mentor to each of them and willingly shared his experience, advice, and wisdom over the years. Most recently Ed was to enjoy his great-grandson when the family met on Sundays for a weekly brunch.

As Virgie’s Alzheimer’s disease progressed over the years Ed was her primary source of support and provider of comfort until she passed away in the fall of 2020.

A small graveside service ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 4th, 2024, in Rising Star, Texas where Ed will be buried beside Virgie with military honors in recognition of his service in the armed forces.

Ed is preceded in death by his loving bride of 66 years, Virgie Mae Boatman, his parents, Melvin, and Geneva (Brackett) Boatman, a brother, James Boatman, a sister, Nelda Staller, and a daughter-in-law, Kerri Boatman.

Ed is survived by his two children: Alan Boatman and his wife, Cathy of McKinney, Texas and Mark Boatman of Plano, Texas; three grandchildren: Audrey Boatman of Frisco, Texas, Alec Boatman and his wife, Lauren of Princeton, Texas and Christopher Boatman of Plano, Texas and one step-grandson, Douglas Sane of New Mexico; and his 18-month-old great-grandson, Phillip Boatman of Princeton, Texas. Ed is also survived by his sister-in-law, Vivian Glenn Hart and husband, Raymond of Ranger and Brownwood, Texas.