Lloyd Albert Felix

Lloyd Albert Felix was born February 8, 1923, to Adolph Felix and Emma Grunder in Logan, UT. He was the second of four children – Clyde, Lloyd, Marjorie, and Arlo. He spent his childhood between Logan and Hansel Valley. Most winters were spent in Logan, where he could attend school. In the summer, he spent time with his dad working on the family dry farm in Hansel Valley, growing wheat.

One winter the family stayed in Hansel Valley, and Lloyd was always proud to tell everyone that he rode his horse, Roany, to school. The school was held in a church with only one teacher, who also boarded with the Felix family. Lloyd worked long and hard in the fields through the hot summers with his dad. His only other company was his dog, Rip, Roany the pony, and the coyotes. He remembered what a treat it was when his dad would bring limburger cheese and onion sandwiches for them to eat.

In July of 1934, his brother Clyde died from a ruptured appendix, and before they could have a funeral for him, Lloyd came down with appendicitis. He remembers his dad holding him up to the casket to see Clyde before he was taken to the hospital.

Lloyd continued his schooling in Logan. He had many chores to do, one of which was to milk the cow when he came home from school. The following mornings, on his way to school, he would deliver the milk to those families who purchased it from his parents. He often said that the cow got them through the depression. He milked cows for his uncles and neighbors to earn money. Because of his experience with cows, he would always ask people he met if they knew the milkman handshake. He would then show them the handshake and laugh and laugh. Lloyd always made people smile.

One summer day, he was out riding bikes with a friend and was hit by a car. Lloyd was thrown quite a way from the road. Both bones in his left leg were broken. He was in the hospital for four weeks and on crutches for many more. He always said that was a horrible time!

Lloyd’s family attended the Logan 9th Ward. The church was across the street from their home. Their bishop was Elder L. Tom Perry’s father. Lloyd and Elder Perry played van ball together on the Logan 9th Ward team.

Utah State University was right up the street from his family home. When there were football games, he and his friends would watch the games through the fence. If they had the opportunity to sneak into a game, they certainly would! He often said that in the winter, when the roads were snow packed, he could sleigh ride from USU all the way down to Main Street.

After graduating from Logan High School, Lloyd was compelled to join the military after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He chose to join the Navy, but because he was colorblind, he could not do regular service. He was assigned to the Seabees Construction Battalion. He enlisted on December 7, 1942, at the age of 19. He entered active service on December 23, 1942. His first assignment was in Williamsburg, VA, as a Motor Machinist Mate 2nd Class. In May 1943, Lloyd was assigned to the Aleutian Islands with the 86th Construction Battalion and was there until November of 1944. He did not talk much about the things he did and saw while serving. We do remember him saying that he once was so hungry for green olives that he left base without permission to find some! Another time he did not report to KP duty. They tracked him down, and he told them he was a machinist, not a potato peeler! Following his service in Adak, AK (on the Aleutian Islands), he was assigned to Okinawa, Japan. While serving in Japan, they were informed on September 2, 1945, that the war had ended. Lloyd said that they all fired their guns over and over, and it sounded like fireworks. He remained in Japan for some time after the war ended, before being shipped home. He was discharged in January 1946. Again, he did not talk much about it, but he was very proud to have served his country.

Back in Logan later that year, he met Amelia Mae Colton through a blind date set up by his best friend. At first, she did not take to him because he teased too much, but he finally won her over and they were married April 21, 1947, in the Logan Temple.

Lloyd worked as a machinist for Peterson Tractor in Logan while he and Amelia started their family. There, they had three children, Martin, Tamara, and Wayne. The family later moved to North Salt Lake, where Lloyd sought new employment. Lloyd began working for General Motors Locomotive as a welder, machinist, and mechanic. The family purchased a home and put down roots, where their last child, Quinn, was born.

Lloyd was always able to provide for his family through good employment. His final place of employment was as a custodian for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lloyd loved this job and took great pride in keeping the church clean and in order. While working at the church, he saved a young woman from dying, gave several homeless people a warm welcome, filled up the baptismal font for the scouts to have a boat race, fought off wild cats, saved abandoned dogs, and served many people. All these years later, people in that stake tell Corina, one of his granddaughters, how much they loved Lloyd Felix and how the building has not been the same without him there. The best thing about this job was Lloyd’s ability to care for Amelia during her health battle. He was also able to babysit many grandchildren at the church. He pushed the kids around in garbage cans, played basketball with them, and helped them perform on the stage. He also put them to work, vacuuming and picking up Cheerios under the pews. When the work was complete, Lloyd would reward his grandkids with Rainbows and onion rings from Pace’s Dairy Ann in his office.

Amelia passed away in February 1984. Lloyd was heartbroken but found comfort in a group of friends that would get together for Family Home Evening. He would often bake his famous carrot cake to take with him to share.

After retiring from his employment with the Church, Lloyd built an addition on his home to help take care of his daughter and granddaughters. He made a nice, big space where the whole family could get together. That home was a place where many good times were had watching Jazz games, making Sunday-night popcorn, and teasing eager grandkids on Christmas morning. Lloyd was often found in the garage at his workbench making his famous, money-filled walnuts.

Lloyd also spent his retirement farming the land in Hansel Valley with his son, Wayne. He loved the farm very much and wanted to spend all his time there taking care of the bees and property. Lloyd loved having his family join him at the farm. They enjoyed listening to general conference, getting tractor rides, shooting guns, sledding, and sleepovers.

Lloyd spent many years serving Amelia’s family in Malad, ID, and taking care of his own parents in their declining years.

As Lloyd’s health declined, he enjoyed the company of others. He loved when friends and family would take him for a drive. His most famous words to his daughter, Tammy, were, “Are you going anywhere today? Can I go?”    

Lloyd was a grandpa to everyone and was loved by many. He lived a long, happy life and loved others through his service.

We love and miss you. Until we meet again.