John Boyd Noyes, 77

John Boyd Noyes passed away peacefully on April 12, 2014, at home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He was surrounded by friends and family during his final days.

John was born in Erie, Pa., on December 9, 1936, to John Noyes, Sr., and Dorothy St. Lawrence Noyes. After high school, John enlisted in the Navy in 1957, completed flight training, and was stationed on the carrier Hancock flying F-8s. He met his first wife, Bernice, at a USO club. John and Bernice had four children: Beth, Stephen, Janet and David.

John left the Navy after six years, unable to fly due to a problem with peripheral vision. He became a flight engineer at United Airlines. During that time, John attended San Jose State University, graduating with a BA. He eventually left the airline to find his calling in the automotive business.

John moved his family to Boise where he was engaged in many community and family activities. He loved being a dad ... horse shows and rodeos with his daughters, and building cars and racing them at Meridian Raceway with his sons.

John moved back to California after he and Bernice divorced. That’s where he met Jan. Ever the consummate salesman, John sold Jan a car, and as the story goes, she got the extended warranty which included John. John and Jan were married in Tiburon, Calif., on Christmas Eve 1988, and celebrated their Silver Anniversary this past Christmas Eve.

John was the ultimate “car guy” for 41 years, with Ford, Lexus, and Mazda, winning awards for auto knowledge and customer satisfaction. He enjoyed meeting the public, teaching ethical and effective sales practices, and meeting the challenges of selling and managing. His sterling reputation preceded him wherever he went.

John had trouble retiring. In 2004, he and Jan moved to Coeur d’Alene and soon after he happily went to work for Tom Addis at Lake City Ford where he stayed until 2010. John then found another calling, volunteering for Hospice of North Idaho before he retired for the last time. He loved his work and felt he was making a contribution. 

The following year, John began having mild memory problems and was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He also fought and won a battle with prostate cancer, but at the end of his six weeks of radiation, a tumor was discovered in his pancreas. For three years John lived with increasing confusion, but also with amazing grace. He and Jan stayed active, socialized with friends and found joy in their relationship. They participated in a support group, which John loved attending, sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association.

The tumor was lurking in the background, but John decided that quality of life was more important than the serious risk of a dangerous surgery and an uncertain outcome. As expected, cancer took John’s life.

John is survived by his wife, Jan; sons: Stephen (Karen), and David (Connie); daughters: Janet Audiss (Don), and Beth Hummel (Jay); stepsons: Steven McPherson (Sheila), and Cory McPherson (Jennifer); eight grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank The Area Agency on Aging who generously supported supplementary home care for John, and Hospice of North Idaho as an ever present source of medical advice, nursing care and moral support.

John’s memorial is at 4 p.m., Saturday, April 26, at the Unity Spiritual Center, 4465 N. 15th St., Coeur d’Alene. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association of North Idaho, Hospice of North Idaho, or the Area Agency on Aging of North Idaho.