Obituaries – Feb. 15 Issue
LAIRD LOYD
Laird E. Loyd, 73, of Trenton, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023.
Mr. Loyd was born on May 14, 1949, in Alexandria, La., to the late Laird and Lillian Loyd. He was retired from the Union Pacific Railroad and, following his retirement, he and Louise enjoyed many days together traveling, fishing, camping, and enjoying their home on Sand Mountain. Larry loved his pets…too many to mention…but were always a part of the family.
In addition to his parents, Laird was preceded in death by brothers, Richard, Alan, and John Loyd; his son by marriage, Tim Snead.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Louise Stewart Loyd; daughter by marriage, Laura (David) Dunham; grandchildren, Natalie (Kevin) Gutierrez, Benjamin Dunham, Caleb Dunham, Jacob Dunham, and Michael Weist; brother, Jimmy (Shirley) Loyd; brother-in-law and families of John Stewart, Jr; nephews, Gene and Phillip Loyd and family.
Per his request, there will be no services.
A special thank you is extended to Pam and Tom Tamburello. Also, thanks to Bridget Sanford, Hank Harvey, and all the friends who knew and loved Larry.
You may share expressions of sympathy at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements are under the care of Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
GARRY “MAC” MCGOWAN
Garry “Mac” McGowan, 67, of Chattanooga, Tenn., passed away Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023.
Gary Mac was a local radio and TV personality who was full of joy, gratefulness, and all kinds of crazy stories. He was most proud to be dad to Kellan McGowan, Hunter McGowan, and Brittany Kolodziej.
Garry was born March 4, 1955, to the late Betty McGowan. He was raised in Chattanooga, Tenn., and was a 1973 graduate of Red Bank High School. Garry began his radio career in 1972 at WEDG in Soddy-Daisy, Tenn., while still attending Red Bank High. His next stop was at WDXB in Chattanooga, where he started as a “go-fer” for Chickamauga Charlie, Johnny Walker and other top deejays. Garry later got his own show at WDXB, and later became news director.
In 1980, he became news director at WGOW, and two years later joined Dale Deason as co-host of “Those Guys in the Morning,” which became well known for popular features like “Media Madness.” He finished up his fulltime radio career at WSGC in Ringgold, and was later a frequent fill-in host on Talk Radio in Chattanooga.
He worked as U.S. Rep. Marilyn Lloyd’s communications director from 1987 to 1993, when he became the evening news anchor at WDEF-TV in Chattanooga. In 1995, he began a long run as marketing director at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, serving as the hospital’s commercial spokesperson. He was later named Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations at Hospice of Chattanooga.
He later moved to Florida, working in marketing for several medical care agencies including Cornerstone Hospice. In recent years, he operated his own marketing agency, handling projects like the new Parkridge free–standing emergency room, now under construction in Soddy-Daisy.
Garry was a member of many groups and organizations over the years from the Rotary Club, to many TV and radio groups, to his favorite “Tuesday Taco Night” crew who gave him appropriate grief regularly, keeping him pretty close to humble.
Garry moved to New Smyrna Beach, Fla., at the end of 2022, where he spent his final days just steps away from his favorite beach where he would feed “his” birds and watch the sunsets and shuttle launches.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty McGowan; father, Charles McGowan.
Survivors include his children, Kellan (Kristin) McGowan of Austin, Texas, Hunter McGowan of Seoul, South Korea, Brittany (Mike) Kolodziej and their children, Watson James and Lucy Grace, of Nashville, Tenn.; aunt, Esther (Richard) Follis.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 16 at Christ United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, Tenn. A funeral service will immediately follow at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those who are able to make a donation to the American Heart Association in Garry’s name. Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
BRELAND MILLICAN
Andrew Breland Millican, 69, of Higdon, Ala., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023.
Breland was born Aug. 13, 1959, to the late Virgil and Lola Mae Millican. He was a photographer by trade and worked for Color Craft for over 30 years. Breland was a proud veteran of the United States Army and enjoyed fishing, woodcarving, the Atlanta Braves and Alabama football. He was a member of Trenton Ministry Center and worked in the mission field. Breland loved his family and will be missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his parents, Breland was preceded in death by his wife, Rhonda Millican; siblings, Reverend Dwight Millican and Carolyn Hurst.
Survivors include his children, Joshua (Crystal) Millican, Brandy (Doug) Aldridge, Amanda (Jason) Daniel, Sandee (Terri) Lee and Joseph (Rhona) Lee; sisters, Renee (Larry) Bethune, Marguerite (Clarence) Hodge; grandchildren, Isaac Millican, Carlos Aldridge, Juliet Aldridge, Hannah Millican, Joseph Lee, Samuel Lee, Branson Lee, Paris Lee, Brandy (Michael) Christopher, Jacob (Shayna) Daniel, Michael (Peyton) Daniel, Austin Sharp, Kylee Lee, Bella Lee, Camus Lee, Maggie Lee, Brittany (Dakota) Nichols, Matthew Smith and Jacob (Brianna) Smith; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Bryant chapel of Moore Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Tinker officiating. Interment was at Higdon Cemetery.
Visit www.MooreFHS.com to share expressions of sympathy and view his memorial tribute.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Bryant, Ala.
GLENN SMITH
Glenn Dewayne Smith, 88, of Higdon, Ala., passed away Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.
Glenn was born May 30, 1934, to the late Alva Oran “A.O.” and Ida Mae Smith in Rodchester, Texas. He was a decorated Korean War veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy. Glenn spent the last 20 years of his working career traveling the United States as a pipeline inspector. In retirement, he settled in Higdon, Ala., to be near family and his grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Glenn was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Evelyn Smith; siblings, Dorothy McBryar, Alva Doris Dyer, Don Smith, Dan Smith and Donnie Sue Primavera.
Survivors include his son, Shan (Lesa) Smith; daughter, Jeannie Ponce; sister, Bobbie Delores Gass; grandchildren, Stevie Ellis, R.J. (Jodi) Smith, Mary Jacklyn (Adam) Smith; Shanna Marie (Sergio) Reyes, Jenica Montgomery, and Joanna (Jared) Whitley-Schlageter; nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Monday, Feb. 13, at the Trenton chapel of Moore Funeral Home with Brother Gary Bone officiating. Interment was at Payne Gap Cemetery.
Visit www.MooreFHS.com to share expressions of sympathy and view his memorial tribute.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.
LEROY THOMPSON
Leroy Edward Thompson, 53, of Higdon, Ala., passed away Monday, Feb. 6, 2023.
Leroy was a “jack of all trades” and loved helping others, especially those in Mt. Pisgah Holiness Church where he was a member, and the community.
Leroy was a “jack of all trades” and loved helping others, especially those in Mt. Pisgah Holiness Church where he was a member, and the community. He will be dearly missed by those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Leonard; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Mosley of Virginia; father-in-law, Steve Rogers; brothers-in-law, Darwin Blackwell and Stan Tilley.
Survivors include his wife, Michele Thompson; father, Roy (Karen) Thompson; sister, Jeanette (Wayne) Goff; mother-in-law, Joyce Rogers; sisters-in-law, Tamara (Dale) Barron, Robin Blackwell, Krista Tilley; brother-in-law, Jonathan (Brenda) Rogers; nieces and nephews, Stephanie, Haley, Matthew, Lucas (Kayla) Barron, Jarrod (Karlie) Blackwell, Austin (Katie Lackey) Tilley, Jansen (Cassidy) Blackwell, Colton Blackwell, Alissa (Noah) Pritchett, Alexis Tilley, and Carrington Rogers; great-nieces and great-nephews, Casen, Camden and Crue Barron, Nora Blackwell, and Elijah Pritchett; special friends, Matt Kunkel and Alex Butler; siblings, Donna Akins, Frances Thompson, Roy Thompson Jr., Joni Thompson and Jason Thompson.
Funeral services were Friday, Feb. 10, at Mt. Pisgah Holiness Church with Brother Barry Pritchett and Brother Edwin Spurgeon officiating.
Visit www.MooreFHS.com to share expressions of sympathy and view his memorial tribute.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.