Loyd Rea Griggs

Loyd Griggs, 78, of Greeley, CO passed away August 11th, 2018, two days before his birthday. He was born to Lester E. Griggs and Estella Mae (Hartford) Griggs in Fairplay, CO on August 13, 1939. From 1939 to 1944 he lived on the Santa Maria Ranch near Grant, CO, west of Denver. From 1944-1958 he lived in Brighton, CO and graduated from Brighton High School in 1957. He attended Adams State College in Alamosa, CO on a football scholarship before leaving in 1958, to enlist in the United States Army with one of his best friends, Tom Orecchio. After basic training, at Fort Hood TX, Loyd left for Germany, along with Elvis Presley and about 2000 other troops, on September 19, 1958. He re-enlisted in Germany and returned to an assignment at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland in January 1963. In July 1963, he married Virginia Chris Frederick gaining a beautiful daughter, Sharon (Candy). In July 1964, Loyd and Chris would have another beautiful daughter, Susan. Loyd was honorably discharged from the Army in July 1966. He then took a job with Huber Chemical Corporation but, with the Vietnam War escalating, he chose to leave the job once-again, in November 1966, joined the United States Army. He left for Vietnam three days after his enlistment and served there until June 1968 earning two Bronze Star Medals during his service there. He would eventually be honorably discharged in January 1973. In 1969, after Loyd’s return from Vietnam, he and Chris would divorce. They remain good friends today. In 1978, Loyd married Velda Jean Japp and gained four beautiful daughters in the marriage. Rhonda, Jamie, Kelli, and Nicole, along with Susan, would eventually expand Loyd’s family to include thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, with more on the way. During his marriage to his lovely wife "Vel,” Loyd continued his education and in 1998, graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. His family and friends were his life and despite his activities being limited because of medical reasons, God allowed him the time to enjoy that life in abundance. Loyd was a Life-member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and a member of The American Legion. Loyd is survived by his wife, Velda, daughters; Rhonda (Greg) Anderson, Jamie (Tim) Pribble, Kelli Smith, Nicole (Mark) Gibson, Susan Derlunas, grandchildren; Jennifer (Scotty), Jon (Molly), D.J. (Kari), Kylan, Derek Rea (Sarah), Kody, Kasey, Taylor, Karlee, Timmy, Kobe, and Madison, great-grandchildren; Jade, Christopher, MacArthur, and Teddy Griggs; Sister Olive Scheid, brother-in-law Robert Burge, his wonderful nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his grandson Christopher; daughter Sharon (Candy); parents; sister, Patricia; and brother-in-law Richard Scheid. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00a.m. Saturday November 24, 2018 at Westview Church of Christ, 4151 20th Street, Greeley, CO. Memorial contributions may be made to https://donate.kesem.org/campaign/friends-of -camp-kesem-at-saint-louis-univesity-fy-2019/c200070