Mike Boyce, Former Cobb Commission Chairman, Dies At 72 After Suffering Multiple Strokes

COBB COUNTY, GA — Mike Boyce, former chairman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, died Tuesday in South Bend, Indiana after suffering two strokes last week. He was 72.

Cobb County government officials and Boyce's wife, Judy, announced the news late Tuesday night. Mike Boyce, who served as chairman of the BOC from 2016 to 2020, was hospitalized in Indiana following the two strokes, and underwent surgery.

“Mike Boyce, my husband, passed away peacefully today in South Bend after suffering unrecoverable strokes that began at home on Jan. 14. He was beloved by his family and friends. He was a man of God who always put other people first,” Judy Boyce said in a statement Tuesday, the Marietta Daily Journal reported.

Born in Crawley, California on Sept. 1, 1949, Mike Boyce served 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps before retiring in 2001 to be a government and military contractor, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. He served one term as Cobb BOC chairman from 2016 to 2020, defeated by current Chairwoman Lisa Cupid.

The Boyces lived in East Cobb, and Mike was an active member of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, according to East Cobb News. Mike and Judy returned to the University of Notre Dame last fall — Mike's alma mater — to participate in the school's Inspired Leadership Initiative program.

“He had never been happier than he was in the past few months, participating in this program, bicycling to campus and interacting with and mentoring students,” Judy Boyce said. “He was having the time of his life.”

During Boyce's four years as chairman of the BOC, he "garnered a reputation as a true public servant, putting the needs of those he served above anything else," according to a news release from the county. He was known as one of the key leaders in bringing the Atlanta Braves to Cobb County.

“I am devastated by Mike’s passing,” Cupid said in a statement. “He loved the county and our country and dedicated himself to making Cobb a better and more inclusive place for everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this very difficult time.”

“On behalf of the leadership team, we are grateful for his leadership and he’ll be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” Cobb County Manager Jackie McMorris added.

Judy Boyce said contributions may be made to the University of Notre Dame via the Michael H. Boyce Memorial Fund. Gifts can be made online at https://giving.nd.edu/Boyce, by phone at 574-631-5150 or by mail to University of Notre Dame Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556.