James Evans "Jim" Lloyd

James Evans "Jim" Lloyd

Washington

Just before sunset on October 18, 2022, James Evans (Jim) Lloyd, 89, took his last breath, surrounded by family and loving friends at the United Presbyterian Home.

Jim was born on September 9, 1933, to Dr. John and Gladys (James) Lloyd, and spent all of his life in Washington; he loved his hometown and saw no reason to ever leave it. His family home was near the Washington Golf and Country Club, and Jim spent countless hours there in his youth with his father and brother, learning the game he would come to love.

He graduated from Washington High School and the University of Iowa and later U of I Law School, finishing law school after three years of service in the U. S. Air Force in the finance office at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, managing to squeeze in a good bit of golf with the colonel during his service there.

After law school, Jim began practicing law in Washington, Iowa, at the Morrison and Morrison law firm. Fittingly, he met his future wife, Cathy (Young) on the golf course, and the two shared many happy hours playing there together after their marriage in 1961. He helped teach his young daughters, Lisa and Jennifer to play, creating many fond memories they still treasure.

Owing to his love of the game and his desire to share it with others, Jim was instrumental in starting both the Washington High School boys’ golf team when he was a high school student there, and decades later as a school board member, he helped establish the girls’ golf team.

Jim gave tirelessly of his time to multiple community clubs and boards in Washington including the Y’s Men, Washington Community Theater board, school board, Washington State Bank board, UP Home board, preschool board, and served as a church elder. He was known for his ability to listen to all points of view and to help bring consensus to a group, even during the most contentious meetings. A witty and wise man who enjoyed sharing his knowledge, a pun, and the latest local news, Jim loved to discuss and argue a point (he was a lawyer, after all). He had an encyclopedic knowledge of many subjects and always seemed to know the answer to every question his daughters could pose.

He practiced law in Washington as a member of the Iowa State Bar Association for over 50 years. He was honored to have served so many clients over the years and was immensely gratified when he was able to solve a complex legal problem for them.

Jim had a great love for dogs throughout his life, from his childhood dog Skipper (who became a war dog in WWII) to dogs in his adult life, Samantha and Chamois. He also had an appreciation for music of all kinds, from opera and classical to country and Sousa marches. And like all true Welshmen, he loved to sing.

But Jim’s first love was always golf. He estimated that he had played over 10,000 rounds at the Washington Golf and Country Club, learning every lie and the read of every green. At one point in his life, he challenged himself to play at least once in every calendar month of the year. He would go out with his dog, even in January, if the weather permitted. Jim held the course record for some years with a score of 29, made a few holes-in-one and won the club championship 8 times. He organized Twilight League and served on the board of WGCG. Jim was still playing golf at age 87, and besting his family members at the game well into his 80s.

Though Jim’s memory wasn’t as sharp in his later years, he never lost his wry sense of humor and retained much of his sharp intellect, continuing to discuss issues of the day, peppering his daughter and caregivers with philosophical questions, and playing a weekly game of bridge.

Jim thought of himself as incredibly lucky to have lived such a long, healthy and satisfying life, full of time spent with his family and friends, his community, practicing law, and taking those long walks in the sunshine, hitting that little white ball.

The family would like to offer their very special thanks to Jim’s caregiver Deb, friend Doug, and to the attorneys and law office staff, especially Craig, Joe and Wendi, for helping Jim stay active and involved and for enriching his final years.

Surviving are his daughters, Lisa Krotz of Iowa City and Jennifer (Steven) Hanssen of Cave Creek, Arizona; two grandchildren, Darrah (Troy) Grieger and Ethan Krotz; step-grandson, Jackson Hanssen; and sister-in-law, Nell Lloyd.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, John; his wife, Cathy; son-in-law, Willy; sister-in-law, Julie Knopf; brother-in-law, Fred Knopf; in-laws, Ken and Billie White; and by his beloved dogs.

Services to celebrate Jim’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 29, 2022, at the United Presbyterian Church with Chaplain Andrew Zuehlke and Pastor Erin Kaye officiating. Calling hours will begin 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 28th at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will be present to receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Donations may be made in Jim’s name to Paws and More Animal Shelter in Washington. Online condolences may be sent for Jim’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com.