Lloyd Robert Klueh
Lloyd Robert Klueh, 92, of Kingsland died Sept. 9, 2010, at the Kingsland Hills Care Center. He is a descendant of Bavarian immigrants who settled in southern Indiana. He was born Sept. 21, 1917, in Louisville, Ky., to Robert and Mabel Van Winkle Klueh.
He was baptized at Foster’s Ridge Christian Church near Uniontown, Ind. His childhood was spent in Bristow, Ind.
The family moved to a farm in 1931, where he helped raise crops and care for livestock. He graduated from Bristow High School in 1934, the valedictorian in a class of 10 seniors. He left home at 19 and “trying to find himself,” he walked and hitchhiked to Florida where he worked in a “tourist camp.”
He had 76 cents in his pocket when he left, and returned three weeks later a lot wiser and with $3.41.
He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1938. He was stationed at Fort Harrison, Ind., Kelly Field in San Antonio and Ellington Field. During World War II he served in the China-India Theater for a year. He was discharged in 1945. He tired of civilian life as a photographer and re-enlisted in the Air Force in 1948.
He was stationed at Perrin AFB; RAF Station Woodbridge, England; and McConnell AFB , Kan., until his retirement as a senior master sergeant in 1961.
He married Esther Pearl Hanson June 1, 1941. She preceded him in death on Dec. 19, 1974. He took many college correspondence courses through the Air Force. After his retirement he enrolled at the University of Houston where he earned a bachelor of applied science degree in electronics technology in 1964.
He was employed at Honeywell until his final retirement in 1975.
He moved to Kingsland after his retirement, where he joined the Kingsland Community Church, American Legion and a local square-dancing club.
Thanks to friends, family and Sunday school members he and Verba Lucille Hilliard Lawler started spending time together, which led to their marriage June 25, 1978. They were active in the church and loved square dancing. He was a member of the Hill Country Roadrunners and the Camping Squares and for the next 20 years spent many months traveling all over the country and Canada, along with his beloved buddy “Matt the cat.”
He enjoyed puttering around the yard and taking care of his garden, grape vines, flowers and various trees and bushes they brought home from California and Arizona. He gave tours of his yard, telling the names of everything and where they came from.
“Life is good” was his philosophy. No matter what trials he faced, he always looked on the bright side and believed dark times would pass and good times were right around the corner.
He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife Verba; daughter and son-in-law Sandy and Forrest Denney of Manhattan, Kan.; son and daughter-in-law Robert and Glenna Klueh of Houston; grandchildren Serita Lee Blankenship, Steven Robert Klueh and Andrew Allen Klueh; great-grandchildren Forrest Dean and Shauna Rose Blankenship; great-great-grandchildren Shaela Rose McConkey and Elija Thacher Howard; by marriage, Arthur Presley Lawler of Athens and Leta Rhea Govett of Kingsland; grandchildren Brien Lawler, Analisa Lawler and David Govett; great-grandchildren Addison and Jessica Miller and Garrison, Griffen and Graysen Lawler.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; brother Coy Lee; sister Wanda; and granddaughter by marriage, Shari Miller.
A service was Sept. 13 at the Kingsland Community Church with the Rev. Tommy Beck and the Highland Lakes Honor Guard officiating.
A private burial will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kingsland Community Church, 1136 RR 1431, Kingsland, TX 78639.
Arrangements were by Putnam Funeral Home, 145 Texas Ave., Kingsland, TX 78639. An online guest register is available at www.putnamfunerals.com.