Obituary of Lloyd W. McIntire

Lloyd was born in Wichita, KS. to Lawrence McIntire and Wilda Harris. In 1944, he enlisted with the Army Air Force in Ft. Worth, TX. As a B-24 air pilot with the rank of First Lieutenant, his squadron, the 445th Bomber Group was based in Norfolk in Northern England. He flew 35 missions over Germany. In 1950 he served in the Korean war and was honorably discharged in May, 1951. On April 1st of 44, while on leave from flying status due to a fractured wrist, he met the love of his life, Lucille Norma Moss, a singer at the Tracadero club in Wichita. They married 8 weeks later, had 3 daughters and were married for 63 years. Following his military duties, he became employed with Cessena Aircraft Company in Wichita as their company pilot. He describes it as "the best job in the world". During that time he purchased a farm outside of Wichita where his in-laws resided and helped maintained the 80 acres, while fun family gatherings were enjoyed for many years. Prior to moving to Ca. in 1966, he owned and operated a Ford motor dealership in Beloit, KS. Becoming residents of Santa Barbara in 74, and following his retirement with Hydronautics Co. in Goleta in 1983 as a purchasing agent, he and Lucille took to the open road traveling the U.S. in their "Silver Bullet" Air Stream for 10 years. Hardworking, self reliant, honest and resilient, Lloyd possessed a brilliant sense of humor which paled by comparison to any big time comedian of his era. Clean cut, sharp witted and direct, he could catch you off guard with hilarious one liners, which might follow with a hysterically funny joke! "Mac", as his friends nicknamed him, was a simplistic, reserved, kind, polite and humble man who could strum a sweet melody on his guitar (which he traded for a carton of cigarettes in Germany in 1945) and always said that "I could not play worth a darn", but he had quite a unique style. He was a real Mr. fix-it, did all his own house and car repairs, and at age 88, found himself volunteering at Cottage Hospital for 4 years with his "buddy-boy" Ralph and daughter Susan in the Pet therapy program. Dad, you are one in a million and one of our country's most valued treasures. He is survived by his daughters Susan McIntire, Jennifer McIntire (Ron), and Kittye Terzolas. Grandchildren, Nathan Malagon, Joseph Malagon(Amber), Peter Terzolas and Susie Terzolas. Great grandchildren, Brook and Megan Terzolas and Kellon Malagon. A celebration of Lloyd's life will be held at the Veteran's Memorial Building on Dec. 18th from 2-4 pm with military honors.