Lloyd E. Shockey *
Mr. Shockey passed away in Roswell NM on July 15, 2016 at the age of 80. Lloyd was born to George and Dollie Shockey in Oakcreek CO on August 14, 1935. Both of his parents have preceded him in death.
Mr. Shockey came from a large family consisting of five girls and five boys. His place as the second youngest child afforded him the best of both worlds. It garnered him the experience of learning from the older kid’s mistakes, without having to repeat them himself, and the privilege of receiving his mother’s attention as ”almost” the baby of the family. When Lloyd was still small he lost his father making his mother the sole caretaker and provider of the family. Through this experience Lloyd learned to become self-sufficient. He learned to garden in order to provide and fostered his fledgling skills at hunting to put food on the table.
On November 3, 1956 a young Lloyd Shockey married the love of his life Darlene Aprill and the two became inseparable. They were married in Elko NV at the local courthouse. As a young couple money was an issue, as it often is for most newlyweds, but Mr. Shockey had already learned many creative ways to provide. Aside from working Lloyd grew and maintained a garden where his green thumb could take root and provide, he hunted deer for the family to eat, and would often fish. Mr. Shockey had become so adept at fishing that it was more than just necessity that drove him to do it. He was a fly fisher, which is a different breed of fishermen, who began to practice tying his own fly’s. This is a skill that even for the proficient can be tricky and delicate and he learned to master this on his own. He waded out into rivers and lakes, trailed up beaver dams and tracked through quagmire to reach the best spots.
A passion for the outdoors had kindled deep inside and there was no better way for him to share this then to take his wife and kids on trips and adventures. They hit all the best camping spots from Jack Creek CO to Coyote Creek State Park NM. During one excursion to Colorado Lloyd and his daughter Ginger (who was 8 at the time) were fishing the river for trout when a meandering bear appeared from the brush. Bears who are normally cautious of humans try to avoid contact but this particular bear had fish on his mind, and wanted the fish both Mr. Shockey and Ginger had caught. As the bear approached Lloyd made a critical decision. He grabbed Ginger, dumped the fish, and ran. They lost the fish but made it out safely. Mr. Shockey even held a personal best record; he caught 125 trout in one day, using everyone’s limit in the group he caught, prepared and fed 30 people.
Mr. Shockey’s real passion and heart belonged to his family. He made sure they were always taken care of and fun was never in short supply. After retirement Mr. and Mrs. Shockey hit the road first in their RV to visit family traveling from here to Wisconsin, Colorado, Michigan, Washington or Montana. One year they left the RV behind and flew to Hawaii to visit their son and see the warm Pacific islands. They became international after a trip to Cancun Mexico and a stop at the awe inspiring ruins of the indigenous people. Whatever the adventure Lloyd always kept his family close.
Mr. Shockey is survived by his darling wife Darlene Shockey; two sons Michael Lee Bahr and Rebecca of Columbia Falls MT, Daniel Ray Shockey and Janice of Roswell NM; daughter Ginger Lloydeen Shockey of Roswell NM; brother Dr. Leonard D. Shockey of Ardmore OK; 3 Grandsons, 3 Granddaughters, 3 Great Grandsons, and 2 Great Granddaughters. He is preceded in death by his parents George and Dollie Shockey; brothers Leo, Lawrence and George; and sisters Bertha, Leatha, Lucille, Margaret, and Georgia.