Obituary of Albert S. Loyd

Albert S. Loyd Albert Stuart Loyd, Colonel (US Army Retired) of Olympia went to meet his Lord and Savior on Saturday, October 17, 2009. He was born June 17, 1927 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma to Coleman and Gladys Loyd. Al was preceded in death by his 6 brothers and sisters and 2 great-grandchildren. He was a graduate of the University of Puget Sound and later earned a Masters Degree from Southern Illinois University. He was a highly decorated soldier and sailor. He served in the US Navy during World War II receiving his first purple heart when the USS Salamaua CVE-96 was heavily damaged by a kamikaze on January 13, 1945 in the Pacific. He returned to the military in 1949 enlisting in the US Army and served bravely in Korea beginning July 1950 until he was again wounded at Chonju. He returned to Korea ultimately participating in 6 designated campaigns until April 1951. He retired from the US Army after serving many years as a CID Agent. He later returned to the service of his country as a member of the Washington State Guard ultimately promoted to Colonel. He retired from his employment with the State of Washington in Olympia after 20 years. Al was a Freemason, a past president of American Legion Post 166 Tumwater and a loyal member of the NRA. Al is survived by his loving wife Greta Loyd and children Steven and Karen Loyd, Shelley and Stephen Hager, Tracy Loyd and Brian Rifenburg, Willie and Kelly Shupp, Julie and Mike Davidson, 19 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and his cat Bandit. Al’s family is very appreciative of the compassionate care given to Al by the Nurses and Staff of Saint Peters Hospital. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, October 22, 2009 at The South Sound Manor, 455 North Street SE, Tumwater. A graveside burial service with full military honors will be follow at 2:45 PM at Mt. View Cemetery, Centralia. Memorial donations may be made to the VFW or American Legion. Please leave condolences online by clicking "View Guestbook" below.