Boyett Petroleum Remembers Its Adventure-Spirited Leader

MODESTO, Calif. — Boyett Petroleum CEO Carl Stanton Boyett passed away Nov. 8 at the age of 70. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Born in Stockton, Calif., Boyett was known for his strong family values, honest business practices and active community involvement. “Carl was an inspirational, generous leader in all aspects of life and cared deeply for this family, friends, employees, colleagues and his community,” the company said.

He joined Boyett Petroleum in 1970 and became CEO in 2004. Today, the company serves as a wholesale distributor that supplies more than 500 fuel stations in California and Nevada. Currently the largest Valero distributor in the West, Boyett Petroleum also supplies 76, ARCO and Shell brands. It also owns and operates more than 40 retail sites under the Cruisers and Kwik Serv banners. In addition, the company offers its fleet card, CruiseAmericard.

Boyett “lived life to the fullest” and had many passions including flying, skiing, golfing, rafting, traveling, sky diving and zip lining. He enjoyed attending San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants games, where he had been a season ticket holder since 1980.

Through Boyett’s vision, the Boyett family created the “Make Dreams Real Endowment Fund” in 2009 that funds opportunities for children in the local community to explore and extend their education. Grants from the fund support children and student programs focused on the arts and education. Each year, 100 percent of the funds raised through the invitational golf tournament and donations are added to the fund and 10 percent of it is spent on local youth programs. Recently, with Boyett’s focus, he was able to double his endowment goal of $1 million by 2016, reaching more than $2 million this year.

Boyett was the recipient of numerous awards. Among them: Rotary Gift to the World Award, Modest Chamber of Commerce – Robert J. Cardoza – Citizen of the Year Award, Center for Human Services – Children First – Distinguished Leadership Award, Association of Fund Raising Professionals Philanthropist of the Year, Champion of the American Dream Award, Rotary Distinguished Community Service Award, and CSU Stanislaus Business Leader of the Year.

He also served on numerous industry boards, including the SIGMA: America's Leading Fuel Marketers, where he also served as president; Petroleum Marketers of America; California Independent Oil Marketers Association; Association for Convenience and Fuel Retailing; California Energy Commission; and California Arco Distributors.

Boyett served on and chaired several community boards, including the Gallo Center for the Arts, CSU Stanislaus Foundation, Stanislaus County Credit Bureau Foundation, Modesto Symphony Orchestra, Stanislaus President’s Club, Credit Bureau of Stanislaus County, Modesto Sunrise Rotary with 22 years perfect attendance and 17 Paul Harris Fellows, and Modesto Jaycees.

“Carl may have left this world, but there is no doubt that his legacy and spirit will endure,” Boyett Petroleum stated.