Pastor Azle Franklin Loyd

Pastor Azle Franklin Loyd was born on March 10th, 1933 in Chattanooga, OK, he was the son of George William Franklin and Ida Mae (Kilmer) Loyd. Azle attended school in Ringling, OK and was raised in a household of two brothers and one sister, Reuben, Rachel, and Lola Mae. He enlisted in the United States Army on January 6th, 1951. He served his country for three years volunteering to fight overseas in Korea for one year, four months and twenty-one days before he was honorably discharged on January 5th, 1954. He received an occupational medal in Germany, Nation Defense Service Metal and a Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars after action in two major battles of “Heartbreak Ridge” and another in the “Battle of Pork Chop Hill”. Azle was also a Navy Reserve for a short period of time. It was during this time, the most beautiful love story would take place. One evening shortly after returning from Korea, a blonde going the wrong way on a oneway street stopped him in his tracks. Sporting his best army duds, he followed her to the drive-in, walked over and invited the young lady for a coke. That night he drove her home and two weeks later, that young lady, Norma June Williams would become his wife and lifelong helpmate. They were married February 17th, 1953 at the Fort Sill Chapel where she vowed to “make him biscuits every morning”. The following day, they hit the road to Fort Bliss, El Paso, TX in his Buick. This union of almost 66 years was blessed with six children, Alan “Frank”, Ronnie, Cosetta, Louise, Vernon and Levi. While in California, Azle joined the union and obtained his license in commercial concrete then moved on to pouring underground concrete silos that housed missiles along with navigation systems including lock and dam. This opened the door for his own business, Azle Loyd Construction, laying the groundwork for concrete finishers in Sallisaw and the surrounding areas. Any sidewalk, parking lot, store, or bridge you crossed was more than likely done by his hands. Azle had a true love for concrete like no other; his eyes would light up with any chance to have a conversation about pouring concrete. So many others were inspired by his passion and training that they carried on this trade for years to come. Work was this man’s favorite hobby. When he gave his life to the Lord in 1974, he put forth the same hard work and dedication. Others wondered how a man that could barley talk straight could preach, the Lord had so much planned, even more than Azle could’ve imagined. With June by his side, they packed up their kids and began evangelizing from Louisiana to all over Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona, spreading the gospel of Jesus, trusting the Lord’s hand every step of the way. A vision the Lord gave to Azle of a huge acorn tree stayed in his mind as they traveled the countryside from Church to Church. It was in 1979, they began to build a church in Bunch, OK, he reached down, picked up the largest acorn he had ever seen and realized this was “his acorn tree” the Lord had shown him; the place to build his church! With only the string to lay the foundation, people began to pour in from all around to help build what would become the Bunch First Assembly of God and a rest haven for the lost and broken. To this day, it stands strong as that old oak tree and serves as a beacon of hope, sharing the love and kindness that Azle so much believed in. Many have said, “if you come there once, you’re family” and that is exactly how Azle made you feel, no matter who you were or where you came from! “The Lord likes us a little peculiar”, as he liked to say. Like his favorite western star, John Wayne, he was a man of few words, but in the simplest way spoke so profound and possessed such wisdom. This simple man from Oklahoma was so much to so many; to some he was their shepherd, their friend, a mentor, even their hero. The multitude of lives that have been touched by the faithfulness of this one man, is overwhelming to say the least! On Thursday, February 14th, 2019, at the age of 85, Azle shut his eyes here on Earth only to open them before his Savior in the glory of Heaven. He fought the good fight, he finished his course, he kept the faith and a crown of righteousness lays before him. While he will be missed by all who knew him, he is now pouring streets of gold. His words will forever carry on in our hearts.

Azle is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Rachel Loyd, one brother-in-law, Robert “Bob" Dodson, one sister-in-law, Mary Loyd, one son, Vernon Dale Loyd, one son-in-law, Terry Ellis and one great grandson, Franklin Wayne Loyd.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, June Loyd, of the home, five children, Alan “Frank”Loyd Sr. and wife Jennifer, Ronnie Loyd, Cosetta Loyd, Louise Caughman and husband Mark of Sallisaw, OK and Levi Loyd and wife Molly of Stilwell, OK, one brother, Reuben Loyd of Conway, AR and one sister, Lola Mae Dodson of Conway, AR. His legacy lives on through his sixteen grandchildren, Alan Loyd Jr. and wife TaNesha of Bunch, OK, Daysha Ross and husband Snow of Stilwell, OK, Ronnie Loyd Jr. of Bunch, OK, Victor Loyd and wife Erica of Spiro, OK, La’Nita Loyd of Owasso, OK, Winter Loyd, Arraya Loyd, Aurora Loyd, Cosetta “Junie” Boyle and husband John of California, Alisha Valdez and husband Oscar of Fort Worth, TX, Jennifer Poindexter and husband Clint of Sallisaw, OK, Tahlissa Ellis of Bunch, OK, Brookelin Ellis of Ft. Smith, AR, Junie James of Bunch, OK, Louessa Brockway of Tulsa, OK and Mary Lynn Brockway of Bunch, OK, twenty three great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and numerous brothers and sisters in Christ.

Funeral services for Pastor Azle Franklin Loyd will be held on Tuesday, February 19th, 2019 at 2:00pm at the First Assembly of God in Bunch, OK with Pastor Victor Sweet officiating and obituary reading by Reverend Robert Hill. He will be laid to rest at the Bunch Cemetery on the hillside over looking the church. Pallbearers for Azle include his sons, Alan "Frank" Loyd Sr. and Ronnie Loyd Sr. and grandsons, Alan Loyd Jr., Victor Loyd, Ronnie Loyd Jr. and Snow Ross. A visitation will be held on Monday, February 18th, 2019 from 10:00am until 8:00pm at Agent Funeral Home in Sallisaw, OK.