Friends of “Doc” Boyle have established the Dr. James Boyle “Pay it Forward” Scholarship fund in his honor through the Webb City R-7 Schools Foundation.

Donations may be made by mailing a check to: Webb City R-7 Schools Foundation, 411 N. Madison St. Webb City, MO 64870, with either a notation on the check or a note indicating the donation is intended for the Dr. James Boyle “Pay it Forward” Scholarship.

James R. Boyle Jr., MD, 45, passed away on Nov. 26, 2022, at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, Ark. from long-term Covid complications. He was born on April 8, 1977, in Delmar, N.Y. to James R. Boyle and the late Lorraine E. (Mahota) Boyle. Jim or “Doc” as he was later known to many, grew up in the Elsmere neighborhood of Delmar and he graduated from Bethlehem Central High School. Jim was a highly accomplished student-athlete at BCHS; having graduated with 30 AP credits, the AP Scholar Award, the National Merit Scholarship Finalist award, and a full football scholarship to the University of Maryland.

Dr. Boyle was a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician. After he played collegiate football for the University of Maryland as an offensive lineman, Jim continued his studies and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from Cornell University. Dr. Boyle was awarded his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo and completed his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the Albany Medical Center. He went on to complete an Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship from the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center. He researched and published articles on spine surgery, bone tumors, and measuring radiographs on the lower extremities.

Dr. Boyle had over 18 years of experience in the medical field and had helped countless people recover from a variety of orthopedic ailments. His career began in Joplin with Freeman Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. Jim arrived just before the 2011 tornado, after which he and his colleagues worked alongside first responders; and later treated many patients recovering from storm-related injuries. In the months and years that followed, Jim actively supported rebuilding the Joplin community and personally helped many residents get back on their feet.

Dr. Boyle served in many capacities within the Joplin area, including as the team physician for Northeastern Oklahoma A& M College (NEO) and Webb City High School. At Webb City, in addition to functioning as team physician, Jim volunteered as an assistant coach on Missouri Sports Hall of Fame football coach John Roderique’s staff. In addition to sharing his extensive knowledge of football skills and strategies, Jim was a mentor for many students.

At the time of his passing, Dr. Boyle was a partner at Agility Center Orthopedics in Bentonville, Ark. and Precision Surgical Center of Northwest Arkansas, LLC, in Fayetteville, Ark., where he resided.

Jim was predeceased by his mother, Lorraine (Mahota) Boyle, and his uncle, John “Yazu” Hart. He is survived by his father, James “Jim” Boyle, of Las Vegas, Nev.; his sister, Raegan (Boyle) Hermon (Eric) of Las Vegas, Nev.; his aunt, Ellen (Mahota) Hart of Harwich Port, Mass.; his uncle, William “Bill” Mahota of Harwich Port, Mass.; his cousin, Jennifer Hart Seidel of Upper Maryland; his cousin, Kristen Hart (William) of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; his cousin Danya Mahota of Cape Cod, Mass.; other relatives; numerous friends; and colleagues.