Johnny Lee Boice

Johnny Lee Boice, 71, of Warsaw, Indiana, died on 12/13/2010 at his residence. He was born on March 20, 1939 in Warsaw, Indiana. John was the son of Kenneth E. and Martha V. (Lee) Boice.He was a 1957 Warsaw High School graduate. John excelled as a musician throughout his life. His instrument of choice was trombone, but he was skilled in other instruments including steel guitar.After graduating high school, he played in Warsaw with Hal Kratzsch (Four Freshman) and other local groups. He enlisted in the US Air Force serving as a bandsman in the Air Force Band from 1961-1965. Not only was it a marching band, they played for military dances.After his tour of duty, John made his home in LasVegas, where he played trombone in show bands behind many famous singers. Later, Boice held the jazz trombone chair in the powerful Buddy Rich Band (for 4 years), LasVegas Jazz Band on the Jerry Lewis Telethon, Tom Jones and Frank Sinatra. John was a featured composer/soloist performing on records and television. He later was invited to join the Ray Charles Orchestra.He later went on seven world tours with Charles throughout the US and Europe for a period of seven years with summer months at home in Las Vegas. Composition and arrangement of tunes for jazz bands have always been a Boice specialty. John continued to contribute his talents to the industry after his retirement in Warsaw. Having formerly done his writing with pen and lined staff paper, he mastered music composition software and his computer and had emailed his latest work to several active bandleaders who have been using them in live performance and recording. Johns music talent will be missed by many. Funeral service will be privately held and not open to the public. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery - Warsaw, IN. McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel - Warsaw is in charge of arrangements.