Douglas Ray Boyette, MD, 74, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 10th at Wendover Hospice Center. Dr. Boyette was born on May 25, 1947 in Wilson County, North Carolina to Ray Algram and Grethel McLamb Boyette.

Doug graduated from Kenly High School in 1965 and the University of North Carolina's School of Pharmacy in 1970. In 1975, he graduated from Bowman Gray School of Medicine with the distinguished honors of Alpha Omega Alpha. Doug completed an Internal Medicine Residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He then went on to a Cardiology Fellowship at North Carolina Baptist Hospital, finishing in 1980. That year, Dr. Boyette and his wife Joyce moved to Shelby, joining Shelby Medical Associates. He then joined the Sanger Clinic in 1992 where he practiced cardiology for the next 23 years.

Dr. Boyette was the recipient of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine for his service to the state of North Carolina. This award is among the most prestigious awards given by the Governor of North Carolina. It is for people who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through exceptional accomplishments. He received this in June of 2015.

In addition to practicing medicine in Cleveland County for 35 years, Doug placed a great importance on service and lived by the philosophy "Give back, pay it forward, and do the right thing". He and his wife Joyce traveled to the Dominican Republic on thirteen medical mission trips. He was a member of Shelby Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon and an Elder, as well as teaching Sunday School. He also worked with Shelby Presbyterian's Backpack Ministry for many years. He served on several medical boards including the American Heart Association and the Wake Forest School of Medicine Alumni Association where he was president. He was proud of his Eagle Scout award and supported the Boy Scouts of America.

Doug loved spending time with his family, and his grandchildren called him Papa Gozo. When he could create the time, he enjoyed many hobbies including fishing, hunting, traveling, reading, and exploring the Edisto River near Seabrook Island on his boat.

Douglas is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Joyce Hiatt Boyette. Survivors include his three daughters and their families: Claire Boyette McCullough of Shelby, NC and her daughters Lillian Mae McCullough, Anna Grace McCullough, their father Dr. Devin McCullough; Meredith Parker Boyette of Efland, NC, husband Josh Hughes, son David Ray Hughes; Julia Boyette Monroe of Richmond, husband Reilly Monroe and their two children Read Wallace Monroe and Larkin Isabel Monroe. He is also survived by his brother Donald Boyette and wife Chris of Kenly, NC; two sisters Martha Pittman and her husband Benny Pittman of Oak Ridge, NC; Anne Boyette of Wilson, NC; brother-in-law Phillip Hiatt, wife Sherry Hiatt, and many loved nieces and nephews.

We will be forever grateful to Douglas Ray Boyette, MD because throughout his life, he exuded a positive, caring demeanor which left a lasting impression on the people, places and communities he visited.

The family will receive friends at Cecil Burton Funeral Home on Saturday, June 12th from 4:00 - 6:00pm. A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 13th at Shelby Presbyterian Church at 4:00pm with the Reverend Doctor Fred Rose, Reverend David Garnett, and Reverend Len Byers.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Dominican Republic medical mission "Dream Ministries" at Aldersgate Methodist Church (1207 West Dixon Boulevard, Shelby, NC 28152), the Backpack Ministry at Shelby Presbyterian Church (P.O. Box 1444, Shelby, NC 28151), and the building fund for the Kenly Scout Center Foundation (2417 Richardson Bass Road, Kenly NC 27542).

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com