Thomas A Loyd

Thomas Arthur Loyd, son of Edgar and Margaret Loyd, was born on August 20, 1916. He departed this life on March 19, 2012. He lived in Wray all his life, except for the time he served in the Armed Forces. His grandparents, Tom and Eliza Loyd, were early pioneers coming to Yuma County from Marysville, Missouri in 1886. After graduating in 1936 from Yuma County High School, Tom worked for the local oil company. From here, he went on to join the Army Air Corps as a pilot. Tom served in the Armed Forces from 1942 until 1944 at which time he was honorably discharged. Though he never served in battle, he fulfilled a dream of becoming a pilot and served the country by transporting military planes across the United States. He began working for the Yuma county Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service in 1941 as a clerk and continued to work there after he returned from the service in 1944. In 1951, he became the office manager for A.S.C.S. and served in that capacity until 1969 when he became the District Director, serving the eight surrounding counties. Tom knew the counties better than anyone and enjoyed visiting with the farmers. Following his retirement from A.S.C.S., he worked for the First Pioneer National Bank in the Farm Loan Department from 1978 until 1984.

On   October 12, 1947, Tom married Nellie Patterson in Lewellen, Nebraska at the United Methodist Church. During their years together, Tom and Nellie enjoyed many activities including dancing, cards, golfing, and traveling with numerous friends and family. Their first child, Margaret Ann, was born in 1950 and their second child, Robert Gordon, was born in 1956.  They wer happily married until her death in 2009. Tom demonstrated his continuous and depp-enduring love for Nellie by caring for and supporting her in her last years.

Tom was very active in the community by serving in various clubs and activities. He loved his 23 years working for the Wray Volunteer Fire Department from 1938 – 1966 and acted as Fire Chief in 1948. He was also a Past Master of the Masonci Lodge and served on the Wray City Council from 1958 until 1962. From 1952 to 1968, he was a member of the Wray Commercial Club. He also served on the board from the Wray Country Club, was a charter member of the Wray Elks Lodge, adn served on the Yuma County Cemetery Board.

Tom was an active member of the First Presbyterian church. He served many years a a elder over his 82 years of Membership.

Thoughout his life, Tom enjoyed playing golf; a highlight of his favored hobby was winning the Wray Country Club golf championship in 1971. He was also an avid supporter of Wray High School athletics and activities.  He loved nothing more than watching his children and grandchildren perform. For decades, though he was known for cheering on the Eagles even when he had no family members participating. He also enjoyed playing cards, yard work, working cattle, and of course watching the weather. After retirement, he continued to enjoy his 10:00 a.m. coffee group, exercise at the Wray Hospital, and his weekly game of pitch.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Isabel Loyd; sister, Anna Belle Loyd; wife, Nellie; sister-in-law, Mae Orr and husband, Emery; Marjorie Orr and husband, George; Winnie Roberts and husband, Roscoe; Dorothy Fischer and husband, Pete; brother-in-law, Duane Robinson, and nephew, Merlin Orr.

He is survived by daughter, Peg Jones and husband, Bobby of Wray, and their children, Jennifer (Bennett, CO), Katie (Bennett, CO), and Matt (Crosbyton, TX), son, Dr. Robert Loyd and wife, Karen of Wray, and their children, Brian (Lubbock, TX), Christa (Denver, CO), and Amanda Jordan and her husband, Jason along with their son, Jayce (Austin, TX), sister-in-law, Lily Robinson, brother-in-law, Jim Paterson and wife, Becky, and brother-in-law, Bill Patterson and wife, Alice Lee, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Friday, March 23, 2012, 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Wray, Colorado with Rev. Norman Stott officiating. Private Family Inurnment was held in the Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado. Memorials may be made to the Wray Volunteer Fire Department. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangments.