Richard T. Lloyd

Obituary of SFC (ret.) Richard T. Lloyd Sr.

Richard (Rick) T. Lloyd Sr., of Wakefield, Kansas, passed away at his home on 04/10/2025. Rick was born to Kenneth (Chirp) and Joyce (Jee) Lloyd on February 2,1949 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, raised with his two brothers, Tom and Doug on a farm outside of Pickett, Wisconsin. Rick graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1967. In 1968, Rick enlisted in the US Army, eventually serving as a crew chief on a RU-6A Beaver aircraft during the Vietnam War with the 156th Aviation Company (Radio Research) at Can Tho Army Airfield. After returning from Vietnam, Rick received an honorable discharge in 1972, returning to Pickett, WI, where he started a small family, as he began to work in the private sector.

In 1975, the U.S. Army would once again become a major part of Rick's life, as he returned to military service, this time as an infantryman, serving with the First Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas and the Second Infantry Division in South Korea. In 1977, Rick and his growing family returned to Fort Riley, Kansas, where he fell in love with the tallgrass prairie and the Flint Hills area of northcentral Kansas. In 1983, the family moved to the countryside outside of the small town of Wakefield, Kansas, near the shores of Milford Lake. This is where Rick was able to teach his growing family to hunt, fish, shoot rifles and to go camping.

In 1983, Rick earned a position on the U.S. Army Shooting Team based out of Fort Benning, Georgia, where he expertly competed for two years with the rifle section. 1985 found Rick wearing the revered "round hat" of a U.S. Army Drill Instructor, ironically at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, the same post he had gone to basic training in 1968. In 1987, Rick was assigned to VII Corps Headquarters, based at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, West Germany. During the stint in Germany, Rick and family toured many countries, including numerous castles, cathedrals and historic villages, much to his children's chagrin!

1990 found Rick once again assigned to the First Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas, soon to depart to Saudi Arabia as a part of Desert Shield/ Desert Storm. As a double combat veteran, with a twisted sense of humor, he had said "they had a party going when I enlisted, then threw another right before they let me retire!" In October 1991, Rick retired from the U.S. Army, with an honorable discharge. He returned to Wakefield, Kansas to begin enjoying his retirement.

Never content with sitting around, missing the farming lifestyle he was raised on, Rick began working as a farm hand for a local farmer. Rick absolutely loved being able to work the land and with livestock again, taking the responsibility and commitment seriously, helping to ensure success. This continued for 20+ years before fully retiring to enjoy his two main passions, his growing gaggle of grandchildren, as well as riding motorcycles. Many times, Rick was able to combine both of these, often riding to where his children and grandchildren lived in various parts of the country. Rick was one of the initial members of the Kansas chapter of the Patriot Guard, returning to his military background and supporting those fallen warriors who had paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their nation. Rick rode until he couldn't ride anymore!

Rick leaves behind many loved ones, including his six children; Rich (Christy), Steve (Emily), Ken (Nickie), Jessica (Josh) Dewitt, Robert (Paula) and Roland (Melissa), including 18 grandchildren and 1 great- grandchild, as well as his mother Joyce and brother Doug, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his father Chirp and his brother Tom. He will be missed by many! We love you Dad.

A rosary will be held on Monday, April 21, 2025 at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home-Westside, 100 Lake Pointe Dr., beginning at 5:00 p.m. for those who wish to attend. Sharing memories of Rick will begin at 6:00 p.m. with visitation concluding at 8:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, beginning at 11:00 a.m., at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, 830 S Westhaven Dr, Oshkosh. A second visitation will be held at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service.

Interment will take place at Bethesda Cemetery in Ring, Wisconsin.