Loyd Franklin Dale

Born May 24, 1934 in Clarksville, Texas to Loyd Franklin and Annie Foy Jaggers Dale, Loyd left his earthly existence on June 21, 2010 while surrounded by his loving family. Loyd is survived by his wife and their children Scott Franklin Dale, Judy Lynn Dale Gayle, her husband Mike, and children Christopher, Matt and Kelli Gayle Powell and her husband Robert. He is also survived by daughter Susy Montgomery and her two sons Dusty and Gifford Montgomery. He is survived by one sister Elizabeth Dale Trussell and her husband Travis, several in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His exuberance and passion for life manifested themselves in the many varied aspects of his life. As a young man, Loyd wanted to be a pilot and joined the Army with that goal. However, colorblindness prevented him from completing his goal, so as an alternative he became a member of Army Reserve Unit of Green Berets, eventually completing 25 jumps.

After leaving the service in 1955, Loyd decided to go to Highway Patrol school, where he graduated at 21 years of age, the youngest to have graduated at that point. He served on the Patrol for 10 years; most of them in Amarillo with the final 2 years being served in Lubbock where he continued his education at Texas Tech. In 1965, he resigned from the Patrol, got his pilot's license for light aircraft, and began his lifelong work in the field of group health and life in the insurance business. His first position was with Blue Cross - Blue Shield in Amarillo. In addition to his years at Blue Cross, Loyd was employed by Phoenix Mutual, AIG, Manhattan Insurance Co., and finally retired from the Chubb Companies. The last years of his career he was self-employed, working with small groups. His success in the field of insurance provided many fun-filled vacations for Loyd and Gay, both in the States and in foreign countries.

While employed for Blue Cross in Amarillo, Loyd became very active in the American Business Club, a civic club with whom he remained active even after moving to Plano, where he was instrumental in founding the first ABC groups in Plano. He served in several different offices, culminating in becoming District President of the Metroplex Chapters.

It was also in Amarillo that Loyd began his avocation of officiating football. He started with junior high games, progressed to high school, eventually becoming a referee for the Southwest Conference after moving to Plano. s such, he officiated games in many different states and in post season bowl games. The greatest distance he ever traveled was to the Tokyo Bowl in Japan. Loyd's last two years of officiating were spent in the Western Athletic Conference. His ever present sense of humor served him well in his capacity as referee, allowing some potentially serious situations to be diffused with that well-known approach of his to life.Loyd is a lifelong member of the Southwest Officials Association as well as the Dallas OA. He was on the national rules committee and helped to write many rules still in effect today.

Loyd's love of sports led him to become instrumental in the fledging Plano Sports Authority with which he became involved soon after moving to Plano. He served as the second president of PSA and was on the Board for several years. During this period, he coached his son Scott in both football and baseball.

Loyd's interests were wide and varied, ranging from working the New York Times crossword puzzle every day to making knives and sets of golf clubs by hand. He and his family enjoyed traveling, snow skiing, and cooking together. Loyd played golf, making 2 holes-in-one during his golf-playing days. Though he enjoyed reading, his favorite place was outdoors where he liked to hunt quail and turkeys. Some of his favorite times were spent in Memphis, Texas at his ranch whether he was hunting or photographing wildflowers. He loved the mountains of New Mexico where he spent some time each fall riding his dirt bike.

As a young man in Amarillo, Loyd joined the Masonic Lodge and became a Master Mason in 2009.

When one thinks of Loyd, the first picture that comes to mind is one of a smiling, charismatic man who could make everyone feel both special and comfortable in his presence. Those who know and love him would describe him as gregarious, protective, energetic and loving.

A memorial service honoring Loyd's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 28, 2010 at Christ United Methodist Church, 3101 Coit Road, Plano, Texas 75075. The family has requested in lieu of flowers those wishing to do so make a donation in Loyd's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105