Charles W. Loyal

Charles W. Loyal, 86, of 9821 U.S. Highway 431, Utica, died Tuesday, October 2, 2001 at Owensboro Mercy Health System.

The Ohio County native graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1940. He was commissioned into military service following graduation, serving six years, four years overseas, with the 10th Infantry, 5th Division in the European Theater of World War II, as a captain.

He was a teacher in the Daviess County School System, teaching Vocational Agriculture at West Louisville High School, from 1946 until 1949.

Mr. Loyal began work with the US Department of Agriculture in 1949 as Daviess Countys first District Soil and Water Conservationist. He retired in 1980 after 31 years of service. During his tenure, many new conservation practices were introduced, including no-till planting. He was presented the Master Conservationist Award in 1988 and the Soil Conservationist of the Year award in 1989. He also received the SCS Better Farming photo award in 1962.

He was a charter member of Lewis Lane Baptist Church, serving as moderator, deacon and Sunday school teacher, and a member of Utica Baptist Church from 1959 until 1991, serving as deacon, Sunday school teacher, and Royal Ambassador leader. He returned his membership to Lewis Lane Baptist Church in 1991.

Mr. Loyal was a charter member of the Daviess County Lions Club and was presented the 1994-1995 Melvin Jones Fellow Award. He was also a member of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, an organization of professional employees of the US Department of Agriculture.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Bettie Howard Loyal, two sons; Stephen Howard Loyal of Owensboro and Charles Edward Loyal of Franklin, TN, a sister; Martha Pruett of Greensboro, NC, and 6 grandchildren. A son, William Taylor Loyal died in 1992.

Services are at 10 a.m. Friday at Lewis Lane Baptist Church. Visitation is from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday at Glenn Funeral Home.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Kentucky Baptist Childrens Home, 10200 Linn Station Road, Suite 200, 40223-9964.