Karl Hardman Boggs Jr., 81, of Cartersville, Va., died peacefully on July 26, 2018, after a courageous two-month fight against complications from Myasthenia Gravis Disease.

He was predeceased by his parents, Louise F. Boggs and Karl H. Boggs Sr., and his youngest brother, Ralph Boggs. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Betty Farley Boggs; their three daughters, Claudia Bridges (Robbie) of Maidens, Va., Karla Otten (Eric) of Palm Desert, Calif., and Tammy Hands (Thom) of Boca Raton, Fla; six grandchildren: Bobby Bridges (Jerikah), Tyler Hunt (Watkins), Megan DuLong, Mathew Otten, Elle Otten, and Sam Hands; one great-granddaughter, Ellie Bridges; two brothers, John Boggs (Louise) of Manakin-Sabot, Va., and Chuck Boggs of Virginia Beach, Va.; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends who loved him deeply.

Karl retired as an executive from Home Beneficial Life Insurance Co., where he worked for 38 years and was greatly admired and respected for his incredible work ethic and outstanding leadership. He continued working as an entrepreneur, owning and operating the Boggs Christmas Tree Farm with his wife for more than 20 years and managing investment properties (even from his hospital bed).

He was a determined, self-motivated, hard-working man with great integrity and appreciation for the value of a hard-earned dollar. He served in the National Guard, and was a member of the Staunton Masonic Lodge and Shriners and the Staunton Elks. He was a great, honest, kind-hearted, fun-loving family man who was a country boy at heart.

He had a competitive spirit and passion for golf and loved hunting, fishing, riding his tractor, and loving on his dogs. Most of all, he was devoted to his family, cherished his grandchildren, and valued his friendships. We will never forget his sense of humor, that grin on his face, his silent chuckle, and a glass of wine in one hand and a cigar (not lit) in the other. Karl was one of a kind and will be deeply missed by so many.

In keeping with his wishes, in lieu of flowers or any services, he would want you to have a drink and raise your glass to a life well-lived, play a round of golf, laugh at a good joke with a friend, spend time with the ones you love, pay it forward with kindness and generosity to others and he’ll meet ya where the grass is always greener – at the 19th hole in heaven.