(John) Carson
Godfrey |
(John) Loyd Carson, 103, went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday morning, April 9, 2013, at the United Methodist Village in Godfrey.
He was born on March 25, 1910, on a farm home six miles northwest of Brownstown, Illinois, and was the son of Johnny and Daisy Carson. He married the former Rosemary Quade in Brownstown on June 5, 1942, and she survives. They were blessed with nearly 71 years of marriage, four daughters, nine grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Loyd was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, teacher, mentor, and friend.
Surviving are daughters and spouses, Drs. Sandra (Jay) Stanley, Marcia (Rodney) Thornton, Becky (Jim) Whiteside, and Paula Carson (Dennis Wilson). Grandchildren and spouses are Hart Stanley, Chris (Holly) Thornton, Jerod Thornton, Jennifer (Darren) Wright, Erin (Jim) Woolley, Jeff (Kayla) Whiteside, Steven Carson Sulzer, Michael Carson Sulzer, and Megan Carson Sulzer. Great grandchildren are Piper Stanley, Zachary Thornton, Sophia and Amelia Wright, Eleanor Woolley, and Emerson Whiteside.
Loyd graduated from Vandalia High School in 1927 and later received a B.S. degree from Eastern Illinois University and a M.S. degree from Washington University. He taught in rural schools in Fayette County for eight years and was an elementary school principal at Mt. Zion, Illinois, for five years and at Godfrey for five years. He then served in the Alton School District twenty-two years, three years as rural supervisor and nineteen years as principal of North Junior High School. Loyd often received cards and visits from many former students.
Loyd enlisted in the Navy in September 1942 and served thirty-eight months as Classification Specialist at Great Lakes, IL; Bainbridge, MD; and Camp Shoemaker, CA.
Joining the United Methodist Church in 1936, Loyd transferred his membership to Godfrey First United Methodist Church in 1947 and remained a member there until his death. He held many offices in the church and was especially interested in Christian education serving as Sunday School Superintendent for nineteen years, Director of Junior Church for twelve years and adult class teacher for thirty years. Loyd received the Joy Wells Christian Education Award at United Methodist Annual Conference in 1995.
Loyd was a member of the Godfrey Civic Association Board, the Religious Council at SIUE, and the Alton Memorial Hospital Board. After retiring from AMH Board, he served as a volunteer at the Information Desk for nineteen years. He also served on the Alton-Wood River Cancer Society Board and drove cancer patients weekly to St. Louis hospitals for treatment for fourteen years and then local patients to St. Claire’s Hospital for four years.
Loyd enjoyed sports as a participant and spectator. He played summer baseball and tennis in his early years. He was still playing golf at age 91. He was an avid upland game hunter and raised and trained his own bird dogs for sixty years. Competing with his bird dogs in field trials, he was an active officer in the local Piasa Pointer and Setter Club for forty years. In 1977 he was given the Senior Service Award by the Illinois Field Trial Association. After retirement he took up fishing and was a regular visitor to local farm ponds and Bennett Springs in Missouri.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2013, at Godfrey First United Methodist Church, 1100 Airport Road, and will continue from 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, until time of a memorial service at 10 a.m. with Pastor Don Long officiating. Loyd’s ashes will be interred in the church prayer garden at a private family ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Godfrey First United Methodist Church, BJC Hospice Alton, and the United Methodist Village.
Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
