Jerald Boyd and his twin sister Joyce, were born in the rural La Harpe area. Their parents were Walter and Olive Boyd.
He attended Forest Hill country grade school, coming into town for his high school years.
After graduation he spent two years in the Army. In 1954 he was married to Clara Jean Lionberger. They are the parents of two daughters, Susan English of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Diane Painter of Terre Haute. They also have 3 grandchildren.
Jerald and Clara Jean farmed for approximately 50 years before retiring and moving into La Harpe. Winter months find them in sunny Fort Myers, Florida.