Obituary for Theodore Jaisen "TJ" Boykin
Theodore “TJ” Jaisen Boykin, 45, of Imperial, PA, was called home to be with the Lord on June 30, 2022. He passed away while spending time with the people he loved the most, his family and at his favorite place, the beach.
TJ was born on May 23, 1977, in Pittsburgh, the son of Homer D. “Skip” and Phyllis (Cox) Boykin, Jr. of West Mifflin.
There’s not enough time or words to explain the impact TJ had during his short time on this Earth. To begin, you could not find a more hardworking man. TJ began his own company 25 years ago, Boykin Interactive, which is a full-service digital media company. Over the years he worked as a web developer for Duquesne Light, an interactive producer/ web architect for MARC USA, as a director (UX) for Xerox, and most recently a senior director for ADP. TJ’s many different career paths allowed him to touch the lives of many and create lifelong friendships.
While work was very important to TJ, his family was most important. TJ was an extremely proud father and the day he became a dad, he was whole. TJ was a dedicated, loving, compassionate and protective father, companion, son and brother. TJ’s love for sports started young, when his parents signed him up for soccer. Not long after playing soccer, he realized he liked refereeing the games just as much. When it came time for his children to play sports, whatever they were involved in, so was TJ. When TJ’s son, TJ, Jr. was four years old, he started playing hockey. That meant that Dad was now a hockey dad too and he never missed a game. TJ, Jr. played for the Artic Foxes, the West Allegheny Hockey team, and a few other traveling teams. TJ even built websites for some of the hockey teams. Since his daughter, Taylor, was always at the ice rink watching her older brother play, TJ thought ice skating would be a great thing for her to try. Taylor ended up loving it and ballet as well. Now TJ had become not only a hockey dad, but a ballet and ice-skating dad. His support for his children, allowed them to accomplish their goals.
And of course, TJ’s life would not be complete without the love of his life, Missy. Together they built the life of their dreams, raising two beautiful children, working hard and traveling together and always having someone to love. Their love was the special kind, the kind that everyone else hopes that they are lucky enough to find. It lasts beyond the terrible loss of TJ and it will never stop growing.
TJ loved to travel with his family, especially to the beach. He loved experiencing new adventures with his family. Those were the times that his family will remember forever and hold near and dear to their hearts.
Along with his parents, surviving is his love, Missy Harrison of Imperial, children, Theodore “TJ” Boykin Jr., and Taylor Boykin of Imperial, brothers, Adam D. and Chad E. Boykin, Missy’s parent’s, Kevin Pinkston and Julia Harrison, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
TJ is preceded in death by his grandparents, Homer D. and Essie W. Boykin, Sr., and Theodore D. and Edna E. Cox.
Friends and family will be received on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 from 11-1 p.m. at Thomas-Little Funeral Service, Inc. and Crematory, 305 Main St., Imperial (724-695-2800). A Homegoing Service will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at 1 p.m. in the funeral home. A private burial will take place at Homewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Boykin family, to help care for TJ's children in the future.
A link to TJ's livestreamed service can be found here: https://fb.watch/eduG-Ss9Xe/
TJ was born on May 23, 1977, in Pittsburgh, the son of Homer D. “Skip” and Phyllis (Cox) Boykin, Jr. of West Mifflin.
There’s not enough time or words to explain the impact TJ had during his short time on this Earth. To begin, you could not find a more hardworking man. TJ began his own company 25 years ago, Boykin Interactive, which is a full-service digital media company. Over the years he worked as a web developer for Duquesne Light, an interactive producer/ web architect for MARC USA, as a director (UX) for Xerox, and most recently a senior director for ADP. TJ’s many different career paths allowed him to touch the lives of many and create lifelong friendships.
While work was very important to TJ, his family was most important. TJ was an extremely proud father and the day he became a dad, he was whole. TJ was a dedicated, loving, compassionate and protective father, companion, son and brother. TJ’s love for sports started young, when his parents signed him up for soccer. Not long after playing soccer, he realized he liked refereeing the games just as much. When it came time for his children to play sports, whatever they were involved in, so was TJ. When TJ’s son, TJ, Jr. was four years old, he started playing hockey. That meant that Dad was now a hockey dad too and he never missed a game. TJ, Jr. played for the Artic Foxes, the West Allegheny Hockey team, and a few other traveling teams. TJ even built websites for some of the hockey teams. Since his daughter, Taylor, was always at the ice rink watching her older brother play, TJ thought ice skating would be a great thing for her to try. Taylor ended up loving it and ballet as well. Now TJ had become not only a hockey dad, but a ballet and ice-skating dad. His support for his children, allowed them to accomplish their goals.
And of course, TJ’s life would not be complete without the love of his life, Missy. Together they built the life of their dreams, raising two beautiful children, working hard and traveling together and always having someone to love. Their love was the special kind, the kind that everyone else hopes that they are lucky enough to find. It lasts beyond the terrible loss of TJ and it will never stop growing.
TJ loved to travel with his family, especially to the beach. He loved experiencing new adventures with his family. Those were the times that his family will remember forever and hold near and dear to their hearts.
Along with his parents, surviving is his love, Missy Harrison of Imperial, children, Theodore “TJ” Boykin Jr., and Taylor Boykin of Imperial, brothers, Adam D. and Chad E. Boykin, Missy’s parent’s, Kevin Pinkston and Julia Harrison, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
TJ is preceded in death by his grandparents, Homer D. and Essie W. Boykin, Sr., and Theodore D. and Edna E. Cox.
Friends and family will be received on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 from 11-1 p.m. at Thomas-Little Funeral Service, Inc. and Crematory, 305 Main St., Imperial (724-695-2800). A Homegoing Service will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at 1 p.m. in the funeral home. A private burial will take place at Homewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Boykin family, to help care for TJ's children in the future.
A link to TJ's livestreamed service can be found here: https://fb.watch/eduG-Ss9Xe/