Brigadier General Herbert Jack Lloyd

Brigadier General Herbert Jack Lloyd, 79, of Hope, died Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015. I am writing my own obituary because I am quite simply the last authority on my own death–having given more than a half-century of service to my God, my family and my country, most of it abroad in foreign lands in high risk areas. As I recall the events of service, it is only fitting that I should die in service to our cause. We all have but one death to spend, and for it to have deep meaning, death should be with others who are prepared to give their lives to the cause of Christian Civilization and Liberty. And yet, I deny I died for anything. I lived for the Christian values and beliefs that had been imbued in me by a strong sainted Christian mother and the example of my very own son. The manner in which I chose to live my life involved the very real chance I would die in the execution of those duties that help make the world a better and more generous place. If there is nothing worth dying for–in this sense–there is nothing worth living for. I have had the privilege and was humbled to serve with and command American fighting men at every level, from squad to Asst. Division Commander, in savage, intense, sustained combat, from a minute to several days and nights–to see America's very finest young men and women willingly give their lives to the cause that was greater than themselves. My life was spared on numerous occasions and my country was generous enough to award 12 awards for valor. God Almighty allowed me to survive being wounded twice in Vietnam and once in Afghanistan. I had the privilege to serve with different armies around the world and make many close and cherished friends who shared our American Christian values and beliefs. The service arranged for nine years of university level education to include the Royal College of Defense Studies in London and a BA and MA from Auburn University in preparation to serve on the staff and faculty of the United States Military Academy at West Point and later to serve with heads of state in the sub-continent. The last 18 years of civilian service were in the Muslim world of the Middle East and Africa, where I served in the corporate world–the last several years as a partner in sensitive government agencies with extremely courageous and dedicated Americans–caused me to appreciate the complexities of the tribal cultures that caused it to be so difficult to bring democracy and a better way of life to the poor wretched lands. Always it was the suffering little children who could not help themselves that was the most heartbreaking and changed one's views of one's life and the world. Service to the cause has been my life and has been full and rewarding and it has exacted its price. It is only just. I was a member of the Unity Baptist Church in Hope, Ark., and am survived by my son, Mark, and his wonderful family, his wife, Beth, and children; Hannah and Matthew, and other family members who reside in the region. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Gideons International on their website, www.gideons.org, or Unity Baptist Church at 402 South Hervey Street, Hope, Ark., 71801. Visitation is 6-8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 14, 2015 at Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home in Hope, Ark. Funeral Service is 2 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015 at Unity Baptist Church in Hope with Dr. Glen Tropp and Bro. John Nations officiating. Burial to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Hope. Arrangements by Brazzel/Oakcrest The Funeral Home of Hope, Eddie Brazzel, Director. Online guestbook: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com.