James K. Loyd

James Karron Loyd, 76, of Starkville passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at the University of Alabama - Birmingham Hospital after a lengthy battle with cancer. Mr. Loyd was born June 6, 1941, in Louisville, Mississippi where he was raised and attended Louisville High School. In 1964, he joined the Mississippi Highway Patrol. During his 21-year career with MHP, Mr. Loyd served in many different capacities including Trooper, Lieutenant, Captain of the Starkville District, member of the MHP Pistol Team, investigator with the Internal Affairs Division, and Major over the Northern Region of Mississippi. While employed by the MHP, he attended several distinctive schools on management and law enforcement, including the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA, and the Southern Police Institute in Louisville, KY. He was also a member of the Mississippi Air National Guard for 8 years where he served as a mechanic. His love of flying guided him to get his private pilot's license and later his commercial license. After retiring from the MHP, he flew multi-engine airplanes and corporate jets for various entities including Bryan Foods, Viking Range Company, Ellis Steel, Yates Construction, Southern Pipe and Supply, and West Point Casket Company. He retired from flying after turning 70 years of age. He loved flying, riding motorcycles, and traveling to Colorado, which he and his wife did often. At the time of his death, Mr. Loyd was serving on the East Oktibbeha Waste Water Association Board of Supervisors and the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority IV Board of Commissioners, a position he held since February 27, 1986. Mr. Loyd is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Ruby Newman Loyd, of Starkville, MS; three daughters: Tamra Loyd Grimes (Bobby) and Criss Loyd Bell (Loren "Bo") of Starkville, MS, and Jamie Loyd Stennis (Alex) of Trussville, AL; six grandchildren: Ted Grimes of Ridgeland, MS; Marissa Dunlap, Brandon Bell and Kathryn Bell of Starkville, MS; Trey Stennis and Jamison Stennis of Trussville, AL; sisters: Betty Williamson Clements of Pell City, AL, and Mary Elizabeth Culpepper of Meridian, MS; brothers: Ralph David Loyd of Jackson, MS, and Robert Carl Loyd of Louisville, MS. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Larry Dale Loyd and Olen Kennith Loyd; mother, Vada Reed Loyd; and father, Autley Mather Loyd. Pallbearers will be Bobby Grimes, Alex Stennis, Loren "Bo" Bell, Trey Stennis, Jamison Stennis, and Brandon Bell. Visitation will be at Porter Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi on Friday, June 16, 2017, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. with services following at 3:00 p.m. Reverend Jeff Morgan of Artesia Baptist Church, where Mr. Loyd was a member, will officiate. Burial will follow at Murphy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Porter Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Artesia Baptist Church, Post Office Box 217, Artesia, MS, 39736.