Lloyd Hoskins

Lloyd (Kenneth) Hoskins was born Nov. 5, 1927 in Loyal, Kentucky. He went to be with the Lord on August 19, 2015 at the age of 87 years. He grew up in the time of the Great Depression along the Cumberland River in the Appalachians. This is where he took most of his schooling, graduating from high school there. During those school years, he developed a great love of flying – to the point of walking to the airport and paying the 5 cents in order to take a spin in a turbo prop plane. By the time he was 15, he had earned enough hours for his pilot’s license. He did take a few college classes, but quickly enlisted in the Army where he served for 23 years (this was just before the Air Force became a separate branch of our military). He served during the Korean War but mostly the Vietnam conflict, flying transport troops all over, training the Turkish allies in flying techniques and the English language (and enjoying their “thank you’s” every weekend in terms of Salem cigarettes and good whiskey!) He was asked to fly fighter jets, but because he had broken his elbow earlier in life (and it was incorrectly set by the veterinarian since no doctor was available) he choose to fly the bigger planes. He attained the rank of Captain. Following his active service, he began working for the FAA where he quickly climbed the ranks of the bureaucracy. He began first of all in Northern Illinois, then in Minneapolis, MN, and finally at Tinkers AFB in the reserves in Tulsa, OK. He finally retired from both the FAA and the Air Force in 1989. His first wife Barbara now lives in Texas and they had three children: Ken Jr. (Dallas, TX), Robert (Austin, TX), and James (Seattle, WA). He and Jackie met while both worked in Minneapolis and were married Nov. 13, 1982 at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. He and Jackie enjoyed retirement in Melbourne FL from 1989 on and they served the city of Melbourne during that time, Ken as an appointed member of the Home Advisory Feasibility Board. They attended Our Savior Lutheran Church while it was in Satellite Beach, and the Faith ‘Viera’ Lutheran Church since 1998. Some of his happiest times were at church visiting and talking with people while he waited for Jackie and her Altar Guild duties. He also enjoyed the Men’s Breakfast group. Ken is survived by his wife of 34 years, Jackie. He loved her brown eyes, she loved his blue eyes! Also his step brother Mike from Lake Alma and his daughter Jennifer and her children Chad and Joey; and his stepson Scott from Minnesota. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at the Faith ""Viera"" Lutheran Church in Viera, FL. Honor Guard will be immediately following the service on the patio area of the church, followed by a brief committal service in the Columbarium (follow the brick pathway) and then a light reception in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Memorials can be given to Faith ‘Viera’ Lutheran church (envelopes provided in the narthex).