Former Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce dies at 72

Former Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce, who had been hospitalized in Indiana after suffering two strokes, died on Tuesday.

Cobb County Government and his wife Judy Boyce announced the news shortly before the Cobb Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday night.

Boyce, who was 72, underwent surgery last Tuesday in South Bend, Ind., and had been visited by family members since then.

He and his wife Judy had been attending a leadership seminar at the University of Notre Dame, his alma mater, when he was stricken.

An update on Monday morning on a CaringBridge page said that the Boyces were to meet with doctors to establish his progress.

Judy Boyce posted an update early Tuesday evening saying that her husband “was a man of God who always put other people first.”

She said he was “thrilled to return” to Notre Dame last fall to participate in the school’s Inspired Leadership Initiative program.

“He had never been happier than he was in the past few months, participating in this program, bicycling to campus and interacting with and mentoring students,” she said. “He was having the time of his life.”

Boyce, a Republican and a retired Marine officer who lived in East Cobb, served as chairman for one term, and was defeated by Democratic current chairwoman Lisa Cupid in 2020.

He was an active member of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church.

The Cobb government statement that while in office, “Boyce garnered a reputation as a true public servant, putting the needs of those he served above anything else. Although the retired Marine Colonel often leaned on his military leadership skills, those who worked for him knew he had a soft heart for the county’s employees and often preached he needed to “take care of his troops.”

The statement also quoted Cupid as saying that “he loved the county and our country and dedicated himself to making Cobb a better and more inclusive place for everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this very difficult time.”

Said Cobb County Manager Dr. Jackie McMorris: “On behalf of the leadership team, we are grateful for his leadership and he’ll be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

The Cobb County Republican Party posted a message on its Facebook page Tuesday evening, saying that Boyce “will leave a void in Cobb County. He served his country well and was a friend to so many. Our hearts are broken. Please keep his family in your prayers.”

Judy Boyce said contributions may be made to the University of Notre Dame via the Michael H. Boyce Memorial Fund. Gifts may be made online at https://giving.nd.edu/Boyce, by phone at 574-631-5150, or by mail: University of Notre Dame Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, Ind. 46556.

“Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers during this most difficult chapter,” Judy Boyce said in her update.

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