John Louis Boudry, a longtime Antigo resident, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 25, 2022, at the age of 92 in Appleton. He was born on April 4, 1929 in Fond du Lac, a son of Dr. Marshall and Mary (High) Boudry. On June 6, 1956 in Amherst, he married Shirley Jacobson. John and Shirley were married for 61 years until Shirley's death in 2017.
He was a graduate of Waupaca High School and attended Carthage College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. In 1951 John was drafted into the United States Army and served until 1953 when he was honorably discharged at the rank of a Sergeant. While in the Army, John served on the front lines as a tank commander in the Korean Conflict. After his discharge, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Conservation from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1956 and later a Master's Degree in Science from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
In 1957, he and Shirley moved to Antigo where he taught Biology for the Unified School District of Antigo until retirement in 1987. John also served as the advisor for the Boys' Forestry Club. He lived in Antigo until moving to Appleton in 2018 to be closer to his daughters and grandchildren.
He was a avid sportsman and outdoorsman who passed on his passion for hunting and fishing to his grandchildren who he loved dearly. He enjoyed being a fishing bait tester of Mepps lures for Sheldon's. When he wasn't hunting or fishing during his free time, he enjoyed spending time on his tree farm in Portage County where he grew Christmas and pulp trees.
John was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandpa who will be deeply missed. The wonderful memories he created with his family and friends will be remembered and cherished forever.
John was a member of the Antigo United Methodist Church, the National Education Association, Wisconsin Education Association, Wisconsin Retired Educators Association, Langlade County Retired Teachers Association, Langlade County Trap Club, the Freshwater Hall of Fame, Christmas Tree Growers Association, Sparks-Doernenburg American Legion Post 3, Antigo, Leland-Tollefson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2653, Antigo, and Wisconsin Woodland Owners. He appreciated the opportunity to participate on the Honor Flight to Washington D.C.
Survivors include three daughters, Valerie (Jeff) Palarski of Aniwa, Mary Russell and Steve Boehm of Richfield and Michelle Powers of Appleton; six grandchildren, John and William Palarski, Charlie and Elaine "Lainey" Russell, Brittany and Erin Powers; two step-grandchildren, Kayla and Amanda Boehm; two sisters, Helen (Robert) Dedmon and Mary Jackson; and a special nephew, Rob Boudry.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Jon Russell; a brother and sister-in-law, Robert (Joan) Boudry; and a brother-in-law, John Jackson.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday February 2, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. at Antigo United Methodist Church with Rev. Debbie Pimm officiating. Antigo veterans will conduct military honors following the services at the church. Burial will take place at a later date at Waupaca Lakeside Memorial Park.
Visitation will be Wednesday at the church from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
The family would like to express its sincere appreciation to the staff at Touchmark Senior Living for taking such compassionate care of John.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of John Boudry, please visit our Tribute Store
Services
Visitation
Antigo, Wisconsin 54409
Service
Antigo, Wisconsin 54409
John L. Boudry has been my hero since he played center on the football team of Waupaca (WI) High School. Although John was a few years older than I was, his brother Robert M. Boudry was my best friend for approximately five decades. Robert (Butch) and I hunted nonstop through our junior high school and high school years and well into adulthood, each raising three children of the same ages. Big Brother John, along with their father Dr. Marshal O. Boudry and his mother Mary included me in their hunting and fishing family -- for which I will be eternally grateful. John and Jake, John's wife (Shirley) and their entire family were sportsmen of the highest order. To be invited to deer hunt out of John and Jake's "Boar's Nest" was the hunting highlight of my hunting stories book, Come Autumn, Memoirs of a Hunter. The book spans approximately seven decades of hunting and fishing and would not have been possible without John Boudry's influence and friendship -- and that of his brother Butch and their entire, wonderful family.
Mr. Boudry was one of my favorite teachers. I enjoyed his sense of humor and all the hands on learning during class. I have nothing but respect and admiration for his service to our country and Antigo High School🇺🇸.
Our condolences to the Boudry family. John had an influence on my life when I was a student in his biology class. I ended up doing well on a test that he had us take and he told me that if I would just try harder and study, I could do that well on every test. I never forgot what he said that day. Fast forward 40 years and I would be paged to the front counter at the DNR office for a forestry question and there stands John wanting to know how to remove an invasive shrub that was taking over a site on the land that he owned down south. Turns out that the DNR included that shrub in some of the wildlife packets that John purchased from us. I felt bad about this issue and gave him recommendations on how to control it. He didn't hold back on how he felt about this issue. Hopefully he was able to get it under control. Again, our deepest sympathy to your family. Pete Solin
Mary, Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss... Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.Uplifting was purchased for the family of John Boudry by Mary Ann Russel and boys. A tree was also planted in memory of John Boudry
Mary and family, Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.Honor And Glory was purchased for the family of John Boudry by Bruce, June, Caleb, Jeremy.
Deepest CondolencesMountain Fields was purchased for the family of John Boudry by The Resops. A tree was also planted in memory of John Boudry
Our sympathy goes out to all of the Boudrys. John and Shirley were special folks so very proud of their daughters and grandchildren. A friend for over 50 years I will miss talking to him and sharing a laugh or two. I hope you can all take comfort in memories of happier times. God bless! Bob Armstrong
To all of the Boudry family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. John was a special friend for 51 years.Heavenly Peace was purchased for the family of John Boudry by Bob,Mike and Joel. A tree was also planted in memory of John Boudry
Mr. Boudry played a big role in my early life. When I was 12 my dad came down with arthritis and gout and he had to give up ice fishing, among other things. I had been ice fishing with him since I was 5, so we’d often see other teachers—Boudry, Sable, Merriman, Case—when we were on the ice. When he learned that my dad was in pain and barely able to walk, Mr. Boudry volunteered to take me to Pelican Lake for early season walleyes and mid-winter pan fishing. Much to their amusement, I would often catch more fish than he and the other teachers. They treated me like an adult and often on the way home we’d stop at Boiling Springs Bar where they had a bump and a beer and bought me a 7-Up.
Mr. Boudry’s love of the outdoors rubbed off on me, as he often talked about hunting, trapping, growing pine trees, cooking hasenpfeffer, and muskie fishing. The teachers would stand around on the ice and talk about how the ecology of the lake was changing—this was in the mid-60’s! It was the first time I heard the word ecology.
He reminded me of Mark Trail, the comic page character.
One day when I was high school—where he was my biology teacher—I saw a pair of Alaskan trapper snowshoes hanging in his garage. I asked if I could borrow them and he said yes; he has a newer pair he uses. I tromped around the woods out in Ackley and got several friends to join me. That led to cross country skiing the next year. And to this day I snowshoe and ski all winter, thanks in large part to Mr. Boudry’s enthusiasm and lending me his ‘shoes.
My deepest sympathy to Mr. Boudry’s family.
Mark Blaskey
Altoona Wisconsin
Hello Boudry family. My sympathy to all of you. Fond memories of your family - your dad was a funny funny man & will always be remembered with a smile. God Bless your Mom & Dad & the joy they are sharing by being reunited again☺️🙏💗
In the Arms of the Angels…
In loving memory of our Uncle John. We will miss you and hold your memory close to our hearts.Freedom was purchased for the family of John Boudry by The Hendren and Rob/John Boudry families. A tree was also planted in memory of John Boudry
What a wonderfully filled life John had. For sure his impact will not be lost in those he knew and loved him.Lavender Fields was purchased for the family of John Boudry by Lisa A. Stage.
John and Shirley, were good people. Hugs, Sis and Jerry Igl
It was an honor to be ‘mistaken’ as John and Shirley Boudry’s son for many years during and after my graduation from Antigo High. God Bless them and their family's. Great Educators🌹 Kevin Boodry
Mr. Boudry was one of my favorite teachers; he was so nice and sometimes funny. He made biology interesting and fun. Thank you Mr. Boudry for your education - Vonda