Loye Taylor Alvis

MARSHALL — Loving husband, devoted father, cherished grandfather and friend to many, Loye Taylor Alvis passed away January 28, 2012, in Marshall, Texas.Loye was born July 18, 1926, in Etoile, Texas, to William Oda and Allie Haney Alvis. He married Betty Belle Dodd on December 4, 1953.
He is survived by his wife Betty; his sons, Jeffrey Alvis and wife, Brenda, of Marshall, Texas, Clyde Alvis and Linda Stewart of Mount Pleasant, Texas, David Alvis and his wife, Laura, of Shreveport, La., Roy Strickland and his wife, Marsha, of Jefferson, Texas. and sister-in-law, Nancy Hughes.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Machelle and Dean Dunaway, Michael and Melanie Alvis, Capt. Matthew Alvis, USMC, and his wife, Natalie, Joshua Alvis, USMC, Erin and Aaron Wafford, Jordan Alvis and Ava Alvis; and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and other family members and friends who knew and loved him.
Loye was preceded in death by his parents, William and Allie Alvis; two sisters; and one brother.
Loye joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 at the age of 16, during World War II. His work repairing ships in Houston qualified him to join. He was sent to Guam to repair ships and serve. During the Korean War, he served on the aircraft carrier BOXER, which made the fastest trip ever across the Pacific to Japan loaded with planes for the war. Their oldest son, Jeff, was born in 1955, and was not introduced to his father until he was 5-months old. His son, Clyde, was born in 1958, while Loye was serving on ships out of San Francisco.
Starting in 1960, Loye served on the carrier USS Shangri-la out of Mayport NAS in Jacksonville, Fla. During the missle crisis of 1962, the "Shang," as it was called, anchored off Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, making water for the naval and marine base. He served on the Shangri-la for six years during the Vietnam War. He did not meet his son, David, until he was 8-months old in 1963.
He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1966 after 22 years honorable service at which time he was employed by Continental Can Corp. for the next 24 years. His love for his country continues with two grandsons who also currently proudly serve in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Loye was a member of Karnack United Methodist Church, a member of the American Legion, VFW and SPJST.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. today, January 29, 2012, at Sullivan Funeral Home. Graveside service, with military honors, will be 2 p.m. Monday, January 30, 2012, at Andrews Cemetery in Karnack, with the Rev. C.W. Huff officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will be Morris Dodd, Romy Fyffe, Les Wiesner, James Harris, Vern Carver, Dan Harper and Josh Harper.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Robert Hernandez, Heart'sWay Hospice of Marshall and to Mary Hall who provided love and care to the family as well as to Loye.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Loye's memory to Heart'sWay Hospice of Marshall, 205 East Austin Street, Marshall, TX 75670.
Please make condolences to the family at www.sullivan-funeralhome.com