Lloyd White, age 89, of Jackson, passed away Sunday evening, Dec. 24, 2017 at Holzer Assisted Living in Jackson, Ohio. He was born June 17, 1928 in Jackson County, Ohio, the son of the late Harry Albert White and Grace Elizabeth Pickerel White.
Lloyd was a 1947 graduate of Jackson High School and a veteran of the United States Army, where he served with the 101st Airborne and the 1st Infantry Division during the Korean War. While serving in the military, he played country music on the AF Network in Nuremberg, Germany and also traveled all over Europe singing and entertaining. Following his return to Jackson County, Lloyd spent the majority of his adult life working in radio broadcasting.
Lloyd started out as a radio D.J. for WKOV Radio, and then moved to WLMJ Radio. In the 1960s, with the help of his friend, Evan Davis, he purchased WLMJ, and eventually added WCJO. In 1963, he was the President of the Jackson County Apple Festival. In 1990, Lloyd was elected as a Jackson County Commissioner, and was the first commissioner elected to serve for three consecutive terms. He was also a former member of several clubs and civic organizations in Jackson County throughout the years. He was an avid hunter, having enjoyed coon and fox hunting. But first and foremost, his passion in life revolved around music and entertaining. Those who knew him well, probably remember his love of storytelling. Lloyd was profoundly proud of being a lifelong resident of Liberty Township, Jackson County, Ohio.
Lloyd is survived by children, Sharon (Chris) Ondera of Jackson, Colleen Frank, and fiancé, Randy Ridge of Jackson, and James Lykins of Jackson; six grandchildren, Tiffany (Brooks) Taber, Jody (Lydell) Young, Corey Ondera, Laura (Matthew) Borsick, Marley Gray and Ashton Gray; four great-grandchildren, Paige Strawser, Madison Strawser, Charlie Taber and Henry Taber; former wives, Emogene White of Oak Hill and Margaret White of Oak Hill, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Besides his parents, Lloyd was preceded in death by his sisters, Mabel Stevison, Virginia McMann, Bernice Martindill, Audrey Griffin and Wilma Dearing; brothers, Kenneth, Carl, Ralph and Paul White; the mother of his two older daughters, Joanne Walburn White Long; and daughter, Amy Gray.
Calling hours will be Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston. Funeral service will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home with John Pelletier, CLP officiating. Burial, with military honors, will be in the McCune Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions be given to the Holzer Foundation, directed to Holzer Assisted Living, Jackson, Ohio. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com