BATES CITY, Mo. -- The Rev. Jeffrey Elwyn Lloyd, 76, of Bates City passed away Friday, Oct. 1, 2021.

Jeff was born Jan. 16, 1945, in Milwaukee, son of Elwyn and Alice Becker Lloyd.

He was a member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Oak Grove, Missouri. After completing his undergraduate degree in economics, Jeff entered Concordia Theological Seminary, where he graduated and became an ordained Lutheran Church Missouri Synod minister. Pastor Lloyd started his career at Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville,, where he met his wife, LaVerne, and two children. Over the course of his career, he served as pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Appleton City, Missouri, Trinity Lutheran Church in Creighton, Missouri, Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Montville, New Jersey, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville, Missouri, and Messiah Lutheran Church in Independence, Missouri. He also led services, Bible studies and confirmation instruction at Shepherd of the Valley in Oak Grove in his retirement.

He was also involved in many community activities. Jeff served on the board of education in Appleton City, was a YMCA volunteer in New Jersey and served on various other committees and boards in the communities he lived in. He also was a substitute teacher and participated in the foster-child program and was instrumental in sponsoring two families coming to the United States from Vietnam.

Jeff devoted his life to the church and his family, but anyone who knew him knew not to call during the Chiefs, Packers or Royals games. He especially enjoyed working with the youth in the church. He also mentored recent graduates from the seminary in his parishes. In his own words, "preaching and teaching" were what he loved to do most. Throughout his years, many lives were changed because of the influence he had on those around him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, LaVerne Lucille Lloyd; his parents, Elwyn and Alice Becker Lloyd; and aunt and uncle, Fred and Mildred Becker Luther.

Jeff is survived by two daughters, Cindy Cary (Roger) of Deepwater, Missouri, and Kris Reifel (Randy) of Bates City; foster son, Mark Ackerman (Teresa) of Appleton City; four grandchildren, Christy Bracher (Trevor), Kayla Reifel (Felix), Alexis Reifel (Dayton) and Kylie Ackerman; one great-grandchild, Olivia Bracher; several nieces and nephews and family and friends in all the churches Pastor Lloyd served.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Oak Grove. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church.

Arrangements by Royer Funeral Home in Grain Valley, Missouri.