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1932 Loy 2022

Loy Carlson

May 31, 1932 — September 16, 2022

Loy O. Carlson, 90, passed away on Friday, September 16, 2022 in Wichita, KS. Loy was born on May 31, 1932 in Clay Center, KS.  He was the son of Carl R. and Eula M. (Reed) Carlson. Loy had his first job at the age of 8, putting boxes together for baby chicks at the Nelson Hatchery in Morganville, KS. He continued to work at the hatchery until graduation from high school.  He also had a paper route and in his teenage years he followed the harvest, driving a truck for his uncle’s harvesting crew; they would go from Texas to North Dakota.  After graduating high school he went to work for Boeing in Wichita until he was drafted into the US Army in March 1953. He served his time in Germany, during the Korean War, and was discharged in March 1955. He returned to Wichita and again worked for Boeing. On March 26, 1955 he went on a blind date in Clay Center, KS, this is when he met Orpha; the date had been set up by both of their cousins.  After five months and nine days they were united in marriage on September 4, 1955, 12 days prior to his death they celebrated 67 years together, and they said it would not last.

Loy and Orpha have 3 children, Gregory Alan born October 6, 1956, Galen Loy born on January 20, 1961 and Gayla Kay born November 7, 1972. It took a long time to get that girl.

Loy spent the majority of his career working for Boeing, he had one short time, during a layoff from the late 1960’s to early 1970’s, he leased a Derby Service Station at Mount Vernon and Grove, he operated it for about 4 years. Things improved with the aircraft industry, and he had a couple of former supervisors that traded with him and convinced him to return to Boeing. He remained with Boeing until retirement on his 62nd birthday. Loy and Orpha had a motorhome and he wanted to go south for the winter. He hated cold weather. She was instructed to hurry and retire or he would go without her, so 2 years later after her 62nd birthday she retired; they happily went south for 18 winters. During the summer months they did a lot of traveling. They were members of the Prairie Winnies state club and attended many campouts, rallies, and caravans. In 2002 they were on a 6 week caravan to Alaska and in 2005, to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, they went on a 7 week caravan to Atlantic Canada; both were amazing trips. Lifetime memories were made with their camping families. Another great trip was to the Hot Air Balloon Festival in October 2007. Loy was able to fulfill a lifelong dream and took a ride in a hot air balloon, this was for his 75th birthday. For his 80th birthday another lifelong dream was fulfilled with a trip to the Kansas Speedway watching NASCAR. When they were not traveling, Loy continued his craft work, he made many different things, finally settling on oak baskets, plaques and various other things.  He would take them to Texas and do about 12 craft shows, then he had to come home and make more. He sold items to people across the US and Canada.  After having a motorhome for 36 years he was no longer able to keep up the maintenance, so in July 2018 he said goodbye, this was a sad day. Loy continued to do his woodworking when they were home (and it was not too cold). He had many repeat customers that would call for items.

He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Eula Carlson, brother Carl Vernon Carlson, and sister Donna Mahin.  He is survived by his wife of 67 years Orpha, two sons Gregory and Galen Carlson and one daughter Gayla (Adam) Hinton, 4 grandchildren Brent Carlson, Brianne Carlson, Keenan Hinton, and Kaylee Hinton, and 6 great grandchildren Tristan, Violet, Avery, Emilina, Ameilianna, and Princeton.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation with Family

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

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Funeral Service

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)

West Side United Methodist Church

1313 W Lydia St, Wichita, KS 67213

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Burial

11800 W. Highway 54

, Wichita, KS 67209

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