Deborah Layman Boeka

Deborah "Debbie'" Layman Boeka, age 62, died peacefully in her home on January 22, 2016 Debbie was born March 10, 1953 in Amarillo to Charles and Charlene Layman. She graduated from Amarillo High School in 1971 and received a Bachelor of Arts from West Texas State in 1975 and a Masters of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas - Arlington in 1996. Debbie married Jerry Boeka on February 14, 1975, and together they laughed their way through life. Her passions were her family and her dogs. She rescued many dogs over the years and placed them with just the "right" families. Debbie had a wide circle of friends, and her stories are legendary. Jerry was her sidekick and best friend, and together they raised two children, Abbe and Ryan. Debbie entered the field of child protection work immediately after college and found her professional calling. She became supervisor, later served as program director, and retired as a services program administrator for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in the Amarillo area. Over her 39-year career, she improved the lives of literally thousands of children, and she was recognized by the state of Texas as the Social Worker of the Year in 1982. She is loved by the families she served and admired and respected by her colleagues whom she inspired to do their best to help the children and families of the Panhandle. Survivors include her husband, Jerry; daughter, Abbe Boeka Crump and her spouse, Bart, and their two children, Decker and Henry Crump; her son, Ryan, and his wife, Pam, and their son, Charlie Boeka; her sister, Pam Thomas; and her nephew, Blake Thomas and his wife, Lexi, and their son, Charlie Thomas. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Amarillo SPCA: 11901 S. Coulter St. Amarillo, TX 79119.

Service Schedule

Memorial Service Washington Avenue Christian Church 3800 S. Washington Amarillo, TX 79110 Saturday, January 30, 2016 10:00 A.M.