Joe Frank Loy 84, born June 27, 1936 in Fairplay, son of the late Robert Elmer and Nola Brummett Loy, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 13, 2021 at his home in south Florida with his family.
He is survived by his former wife and mother of his children, Shirley Ann Loy; four children, Elizabeth Jones (Charles), Lisa Sargent (John), Frank Loy and Eric Loy (Beth); 10 grandchildren, Ambur Loy, Trevor Loy, Charity Loy, Mara Sargent, Matthew Loy, Charle Thomas Jones, Mac Loy, Jessica Loy, Emma Loy and Katie Loy; six great grandchildren, Elijah, Distinee, Oliver, Chloe, Quentin and Cheyenne; one brother, Sam Loy (Geneva) and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by four sisters, Kathleen Buchanan, Evlaee Churchill, Mary Victoria “Vicki” Green and Sophia Alberta Wheelock, and six brothers, Robert Dellous Loy, Albert Wesley Loy, Elmer Loy, Jr., Clifton Loy, John Birtrus Loy and William David Loy.
Joe Frank worked on the farm with his 11 brothers and sisters and was taught a strong work ethic. He left home at the age of 16 to work in Chicago. One of his favorite jobs was driving for Dr. Pepper. He worked for Argus Camera, Chrysler, General Motors, Hoover Chemicals and King Seely. He raised a family of four in Dexter, MI. He retired after 35 years in 1999 from Johnson Control.
After retiring he had many adventures, including creating and selling his Joe Possum Diner t-shirts, traveling and living in the southwest. His favorite place was in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, where he handcrafted Cholla Cactus Crosses. He gave over 800 away as gifts to family, friends and famous folks including Billy Graham and Nelson Mandela. Both are now in museums.
He had many interests . He was an avid fisherman and mushroom hunter. He grew a garden which included gourds in Columbia. He had a special cat named “Tiger” that lived with his former wife, Shirley Ann Loy. He was always looking for treasures like arrow heads, buttons, bottles, knives, gems and fossils.
He played the part of the judge in the movie Resurrection Mary, filmed in Columbia Kentucky in 2003. In his later years he told God that he would do anything for him and that he wanted to help people get to know Jesus and get saved.
A Celebration of Life will take place at a future date to be determined in Columbia at the Columbia Church of the Nazarene. In lieu of flowers, it was Joe Frank’s wish to have a party to celebrate his life!
Donations to: Go Fund Me at https://www.gofundme.com/create/fundraiser/story/celebration-of-life-for-joe-frank-loy
The obituary is a courtesy to the family by Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home.
