Sheridan Lawrence Loyd Jr.

Sheridan Lawrence Loyd, Jr. died peacefully on April 28, 2019 in Fresno, CA at the age of 93. His last weeks were filled with the love and laughter of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sheridan is survived by his children, Rebecca Filgas, Deborah Loyd, Sheridan Loyd III (Andrea), Ramona Loyd, Dennis Murphy (Sandy) and Sandra Farley (Chuck); grandchildren Andrea (Jeremy), Sarah, Jillian, Rachel (Adam), Scott, Brad (Tiffany), Justin, Jason (Tawni) and Thomas; great-grandchildren, Andrew, Aaron, Brandon, Haiden, HaiLei, Ashley, Cole, Kane and Lucas; and many nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his wives Pina Florenzo Loyd and Dorothy Murphy Loyd; his parents Sheridan Loyd, Sr. and Mildren Hare Loyd of Ohio, his brothers Larry Loyd of Ohio, Rupert Loyd of California. .

Sheridan was born on December 10, 1925 in Athens, OH to Sheridan Loyd and Mildren Hare Loyd. He spent his early childhood in West Virginia and from this experience he would later in life, with good humor, claim to be a “West Virginia hillbilly” to anyone who asked of his ethnicity.

He graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1943 and immediately joined the U.S. Navy where he served as a Radioman 2C in the south Pacific during WWII and in Adak, AK from 1946-1947. It was during his service in WWII that he decided to convert to the Roman Catholic faith. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1947 and then enrolled in Miami University, Oxford, OH where he met his future wife Pina Florenzo. This proved to be a long courtship as he was recalled to active duty in 1950 during the Korean War where he served in Adak and Attu, AK. He was discharged in 1952 and flew to Wakeman, OH to court then marry his sweetheart Pina Florenzo on June 3, 1952. Sheridan and Pina immediately moved to San Francisco, CA and he was employed by Swett & Crawford Insurance Company.

He continued his education and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Studies and Philosophy from the University of San Francisco.

Sheridan and Pina welcomed four children, Rebecca, Deborah, Sheridan III and Ramona. In 1958 the family moved to Fresno, CA where Sheridan lived until his death. After moving to Fresno, Sheridan decided his calling was in teaching, not insurance sales. He received his teaching credential from CSU Fresno and taught at Selma, Roosevelt and DeWolf High Schools. Over the years he taught English, History, ROTC, and was Vice-Principal at DeWolf. His love of teaching never ended and he was still giving “lessons” to his granddaughters the week before his death. In 1964, Sheridan enlisted in the Air National Guard. He served with distinction as First Sergeant at the Fresno Base where he retired December 10, 1985 as Senior Master Sergeant. Sheridan lost Pina to cancer in 1991 after almost 38 years of marriage. Sheridan married Dorothy Lotspeich Murphy on November 13, 1999 and welcomed more children, Dennis and Sandy, to his family. He could not have been more proud and happy to extend his brood. Sheridan and Dorothy spent 20 happy years together until her death in 2018. Sheridan often wondered at how he was so “lucky in love” to have found two loves of his life.

Sheridan spent his final years at The Windham Senior Living where he enjoyed all the residents and most especially the Thursday Happy Hour with live music, singing and dancing. His family will be forever grateful for the loving care extended to Sheridan by The Windham staff and his helpers from Well Being Senior Solutions.

Sheridan was a husband, father, grandfather, big brother, uncle, friend, veteran, Radioman 2C, First Sergeant, crooner, Casanova, bowler, motorcycle-rider, teacher, mechanic, historian, all around badass, and most importantly an amazing man. He was a member of Sacred Heart and Holy Spirit parishes. He also belonged to many organizations including Fresno County Roadriders Motorcycle Club, California Rifle & Pistol Association, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, American Legion #4, Air Force Sergeants Association, and the National Rifle Association.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Monday, May 6, 2019, at 6:00 pm at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home,Chapel, 1525 E Saginaw in Fresno.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2140 N Cedar Ave in Fresno. Interment to follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery 264 N Blythe Ave, Fresno.