Loyd Barnard 1927-2016

EARLY LIFE

Loyd was born on June 10th, 1927 in Booneville, Arkansas. The youngest of his parents' three surviving children, it was clear from a young age that Loyd was both clever and resourceful. When times were lean. he and his dog. Speedy, hunted squirrels, rabbits, and other small game for supper. While he might have started off short in size—his family nicknamed him "Nubby" as a child—he was always long on common sense, and he carried a natural curiosity with him throughout the rest of his life.

JOINING THE NAVY

Loyd worked as a mechanic for Clyde Crawley after leaving school, but with World War II in full swing, soon decided to enlist. He joined the I Navy on June 9th, 1945 as a seaman, second class, and he served as a gunnery on the USS DeHaven off the coast of China. He was honorably discharged in 1946 after earning a WWII Victory Medal and a WWII American Theatre Medal. Although his military career was over, his time abroad forever shaped his perspective. His time in China gave him a deep sense of gratitude and made _ him appreciate the beauty of Arkansas. But he always said serving in the Navy had given him his fill of both the ocean and clam chowder, so he returned Booneville as soon as he could.

CAREER & FAMILY

He met Patsy Mae Chapman, a pretty young nurse working at the Booneville Sanatorium, shortly after returning home. Loyd knew a catch when he saw one, and he and Patsy married on January 3rd, 1947. They started their family shortly thereafter and had four wonderful children: Bob Lee, Zelda Mae, Arthur Paul, and Howard Lester. He was a tough but adoring father, and his family became the center of his life. • After leaving the Navy, Loyd found work as a heavy construction operator and foreman. He built all the bridges between Booneville and the Booneville Sanatorium, then moved around Arkansas laying roads, including Markham Street in Little Rock. Loyd followed the work to Carpenterville, Illinois before deciding to move back to Boonville for good. He soon found a job with Whirlpool as a maintenance carpenter in 1961, and he worked there alongside his three sons until his retirement in 1990.

BUYING THE FARM

Loyd and Patsy wanted to retire in the country, so after saving diligently for decades, they bought 21 acres of land just west of town. Loyd built their farmhouse himself, and they moved into their new home on Christmas Day 1985. "Grandpa's Farm" might as well have been Disneyland to his grandchildren. He would spend his summers teaching his grandkids how to drive four-wheelers, shoot soda cans, collectchicken eggs, and feed cows. He'd bait hooks for hours so even the littlest ones could go fishing, and he knew where all the best blackberries grew. The farm was Loyd's little slice of heaven, and he enjoyed nothing more than sharing it with those he loved.

LEGACY

Loyd loved the outdoors, and he spent as much time as he could hunting, fishing, tinkering, and gardening. He also enjoyed good food—especially Patsy's—and had a huge sweet tooth. Though he was a giant of a man, he had a soft spot for all animals, especially baby ones. He could predict the weather by watching the clouds, loved a good game of Yahtzee and never missed the evening news. He was ornery, charming, generous, quick-witted, and enjoyed pestering people almost as much as he loved giving advice. He was also a man of great character. Loyd always honored his word; he didn't make promises often, but when he did, you could bet your bottom dollar he would come through. But he expected the same integrity from those around him, too. If you wronged him, there was a decent chance you would end up on the wrong end of his legendary temper. He saw God in every acorn and watermelon seed. and he never lost his sense of wonder or his sense of humor. Perhaps most importantly, though, he loved his family and friends beyond measure. Loyd is preceded in death by his father John Marcus Barnard; his mother, Jenny Lou Barnard; his brothers, Earl and Elbert Barnard; and his sister, Zelda Barnard. He is survived by his wife, Patsy Barnard; his sons, Bob Barnard, Arthur Barnard, and Howard Barnard; his daughter, Zelda Suffle; his daughters-in-law, Deborah Barnard, Sue Barnard, and Ann Barnard; his grandchildren, Daniel Barnard, Ashley Barnard, Kimberly Barnard, Courtney Suffle, Ashley Robinson, and John Robinson; his great-grandchildren, Ethan, Cora, and Dansley; and countless friends.