James Jerry Boyington Sr., 70, died Friday, Sept. 28, 2007.

Funeral services were held for the former state senator Monday morning.

The native of Bay Minette and longtime resident of Fairhope, who retired in 2005, also served as a Baldwin County Commissioner and chairman of the commission, Baldwin County administrator and chief corrections officer for the Baldwin County Sheriff’s office.

While a state senator, Boyington served as vice chairman of the Senate Military Affairs Committee, member of the Standing Committee of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, member of the Standing Committee on Aging, member of the Standing Committee on Governmental Affairs, member of the Standing Committee on Student and Youth Activities and member of the Standing Committee on Small Business.

Boyington achieved the rank of major in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam veteran. In 1968, he was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest decoration for valor, for actions he took Aug. 5, 1968 as commander of a smoke-screening helicopter in support of combat assault operations near the town of Bau Trau. The award was presented by Gen. Crighton W. Abrams, commanding general, U,.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam.

During his 20 years in the Army, he also received a Silver Star, two U.S. Army Commendation Medals with the “Valor” device, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, 19 Air Medal awards, the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

He earned an associate of science degree from Faulkner State Community College, a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Tampa (Fla.) and a master’s degree from Troy State University.

Boyington was preceded in death by his son, James Jerry Boyington Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Boyington; daughter, Shanna Boyington; sons, Chris (Amanda) Boyington, all of Fairhope and Clay Boyington of Jacksonville, N.C.; two grandchildren; one brother; three sisters; and other relatives.

The family requests donations be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society.