Dave Lloyd (David Ernest Lloyd) of Panama City, FL passed away on July 22, 2018, after suffering a cardiac arrest. His death seems much too early as he would have been 54 in November.
Dave was born and raised in Panama City, and was the youngest of Bruce and Martha Lloyd's four children. He attended Lucille Moore Elementary, Jenks Middle School, as well as Bay High School. He was often referred to as "one of the good guys."
He received his AA in music from Gulf Coast Community College followed by a BA in New Testament Theology at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK. He later earned a Masters in Counseling from Troy State University.
Dave's life can be characterized by his love for God, family and friends, and music. His motto was "Love God – Love Others", and that's what he lived by. He was an exceptional musician, had a great (dry) sense of humor, was very well read, and was always available if called upon. He loved a good cup of coffee and a good meal.
Dave started playing guitar when he was seven, and his first solo was "Do Lord!" With his best friends, most of whom he remained in touch with throughout his life, he started a band at 11. During his teens he was very active in his church youth group and together with close friends he started the band 'Authorized Personnel'. The band toured regionally and had quite a following. At university in Tulsa he played in many different settings (jazz band, big band, gospel choir), as well as playing local gigs.
He met his wife, Evelyne, in the Netherlands while touring Europe on a music missions trip. They married in 1988 and had four beautiful daughters: Marcella (20), RoseMarie (18), Emma (18) and Susanna (16).
In the early 90's, Dave pursued his lifelong dream to go into music missions. Dave and Ev were based out of the Netherlands, Budapest, and Zagreb, Croatia during this time where they toured with their band 'Morgan and the Tramps' and worked with youth teaching music, Bible, English. They also helped organize the Sozo Music and Arts festival in south Hungary. With his small recording studio Dave even produced several albums for Christian musicians in Albania and Kosovo.
In 2004 they moved back to the States with their four girls (ages 6, 4, 4, and 2) and were involved in many new projects (Crossbridge Church, Angelfood). Dave worked as a case manager for Life Management Center, and on weekends played music with friends in different settings (a.o. Steel Coconuts, the Manatees and Bittersweet) at a number of local venues. Being a licensed pastor, he also performed weddings, baptisms, and an occasional funeral.
In 2012 his daughters and their mother moved back to the Netherlands and David started working for a contractor providing counseling services for military families on different bases throughout the world. He was stationed in Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, England, and Japan. When in Europe he tried to meet up with his daughters whenever possible.
David is predeceased by his father (Bruce Lloyd, Sr.), mother (Martha Lloyd), and his brother (Chip Lloyd, Bruce Jr.). He is survived by step mother, Carolyn Lloyd, his sisters Becky Leger and Joy Lloyd, his bother-in-law Dan Leger, his sister-in-law Sherri Lloyd, as well as his daughters Marcella, RoseMarie, Emma, and Susanna Lloyd, and his nieces and nephews Jeremy Lloyd, Eric Arrants, Jordan Lloyd, Sonja Arrants, Kalen Huffman, and Connor Stripling.
Dave will be greatly missed by family and friends, but Dave will be eternally happy in heaven being in God's presence, playing in God's band, reunited with family there.
The memorial service celebrating Dave's life will be held at Northstar Church (Panama City campus) this Saturday August 4th at 11 a.m. (coffee served at 10:30 a.m.).In lieu of flowers the family asks you would donate something to your favorite charity in memory of Dave. He loved helping people!
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