Lloyd was born October 21, 1938, to Jewel Kenneth Swanson and Maude Mae Taylor in Oklahoma City, OK. He passed away peacefully on April 20, 2024, with his two boys by his side at the Spires at Berry College in Rome, GA.
He was preceded in death by his sister Lois Swanson and both parents, as well as, his wife of 25 Years, Edith Eileen Peckham Steward Swanson. Lloyd was also preceded in death by his youngest stepson William Glen Steward (wife Deedra) and Lloyd’s prior wife, Louise Clanton Swanson.
He is survived by his sons Mark Kenneth Swanson of Rome, GA (wife Susan and son Jarrett) and Michael Lee Swanson of East Tawas, MI (wife Gwen).
He is also survived by his two stepsons, Steve Steward of Oklahoma City, OK (wife Robin) and Scott Steward of Mustang, OK (wife Rebecca)
His surviving grandchildren and their (spouses) include Garrett Steward, Jacob (Abby) Steward, Allison Steward, Sarah (Dean) Huffine, Jason Steward, Jared Steward, Sydni (Logan) Barnett, Samantha (Julian) Aguilar, Morgan Johnson, Jarrett Swanson, Sam (Adrieana) Swanson, Meaghan (Vincent) Hinkle, and Joshua Hill. He had 10 great grandchildren: Parker, Sam, Jovie, Enzo, Zeppelin, Hollis, Angel, Maiya, Koree and Kinzee.
Lloyd left high school early and joined the US Air Force at 17. He eventually landed a position at Long Range Air Traffic Control and was stationed at various locations all over the world including Iceland, Alaska, Germany, and Korea including during Vietnam. He rose to the rank of Staff Seargent and retired after 20 years of service.
After Lloyd retired from the US Airforce, he worked at HJ Wilson’s in the jewelry department in Heritage Park Mall, Midwest City, OK and Scrivner Trucking in Oklahoma City, OK before going back to work in civil service at Tinker AFB, Midwest City, OK where he retired again.
He was a 32nd Degree Mason with the Del-City, OK Masonic Lodge as well as recently receiving his 50-year Service Pin with the India Shrine Temple in Oklahoma City, OK. While a Shriner he was in the Bowlers group drove the go-cart bowling ball into the go-cart pins during many Shriner’s Parades, much to the delight of the kids along the parade route.
He and his wife Eileen attended Meadow Baptist Church in Midwest City, OK. They helped to form Chapter S of the Oklahoma Gold Wing Riders Association as well as helped to form a group of Chevy SSRs owners in Oklahoma. He made a host of great friends along the way and traveled the country with both groups extensively. One of his favorite things to do was to help his friends in the SSR groups work on their trucks in his garage at home or at “Tech Days” at various places.
Lloyd and Eileen loved to travel, and they were able to ride their Honda Goldwing to each of the lower 48 states.
In his final years, Lloyd and Eileen took several trips to Branson, MO where they were both avid fans of the Clay Cooper Show. In the summer of 2021, they went on a long trip with members of their family to Deadwood, SD for an SSR Rally where they visited Mt. Rushmore. They went on to visit Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Co as well as the Airforce Academy and Garden of the Gods. They then made a stop at Dodge City, KS before returning home on this once in a lifetime trip with his wife and family!
After his stroke in 2019, Lloyd loved traveling with his son in Lloyd’s Chevy SSR. Although Lloyd could no longer drive, his son Mark was happy to take him to several Chevy SSR rallies around the country where they were also able to see and drive on the Kentucky Motor Speedway and the Texas Motor Speedway.
For his 80th birthday, Lloyd received a “ride-along” experience at the Texas Motor Speedway and rode shotgun in a NASCAR and topped 180mph at Eighty Years Old! And being paralyzed on his left side from the stroke, it made quite a challenge getting him in and out of that car - to say the least!
Lloyd was known for his kindness and for always putting others’ needs over himself. This was best illustrated by a favorite family story. Several years ago, Lloyd was watching the evening news and saw a report about a motorcycle accident on I-35 not far from where he lived in Midwest City, OK. The news report indicated the rider was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment for injuries suffered during this single-vehicle accident. The news also reported that the rider lived in Georgia, which was where Lloyd had a son living at that time.
Lloyd called all the area hospitals until he found where the rider was staying. Lloyd not only visited him but stayed by his side and helped coordinate his return home to Georgia as well as the return of his damage motorcycle. The local paper where the rider was from ran a story on the “Good Samaritan” and the two stayed in touch for many years after.
Lloyd enjoyed many things in life. He loved his wife and family deeply. He loved spending time with his many friends. He loved riding his motorcycles and in his Chevy SSR. He loved taking an interest in others and making them smile. He made friends wherever he went and was always quick with a smile, compliment, or a new nickname.
Before he passed, Lloyd was well cared for by the staff of Arbor House in Midwest City, OK and the Spires at Berry College in Rome, GA. The family extends their deepest gratitude for the excellent care of and love for “Pop” the last several years.
Lloyd loved being a dad to his two boys more than just about anything. He was their mentor, teacher, trainer, friend, and confidant. He made his boys a priority in his life and took a deep interest in what was important to them. He was always generous with his time and his resources and was known for giving the best and most thoughtful Christmas gifts to them. His oldest son, Mark, recalls receiving an autographed OU Football (“Boomer Sooner Baby!”) with 5 Heisman trophy winners, among other coaches and players. Then there were the NASCAR die-cast cars, some autographed, which Mark received of the car that won the race they attended at Talladega Super Speedway, where the two were season ticket holders for 20 years.
Lloyd built quite a legacy of family and friends, and he will be greatly missed on this side of Heaven. But we give him away to live his best life eternally with his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of those who passed before him, while he patiently waits to see each of us soon, but not too soon…
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