Donald Blackford Loyd

Donald Blackford Loyd passed away peacefully on June 13th at Hiland Cottage, a Hospice House in Petoskey, Michigan after a courageous ten-year battle with metastatic prostate cancer. His bravery was an inspiration to many: men and women alike.

Donald grew up in Findlay, Ohio where he completed grades K-12. He then went on to Ohio Wesleyan University. He spent his Junior year abroad in Italy, at the University of Bologna, where he perfected his knowledge and speaking ability of the Italian language. He graduated Cum Laude from OWU in 1974, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Romance Languages. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international honorary society in the field of  Economics.

He attended the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) in Glendale,   Arizona. Upon graduation in 1975, he received both a Masters Degree in International Management, as well as an MBA.

After working at the San Francisco branch of Banco di Roma, it became very apparent that Donald's future endeavors would be in the travel industry. Given his love of all things ships and cruising, he opened two travel agencies, one of which was dedicated solely to the sale of cruises. His lifelong love of travel took him to all seven continents, but part of his heart always remained in Italy.

Upon the sale of those agencies in 1994, Donald moved, with his life partner, Kay Burkman, to Sedona, Arizona. Here he began a new career as a radio announcer at KAZM. He hosted several call-in shows covering he topics of travel, cooking, gardening and pets.

Donald moved to Petoskey, Michigan in 2017. He had spent most of his childhood summers there, at the Bay View Association. It was at Bay View where he recently founded the Diversity Initiative. This endowed lectureship brings renowned speakers to Bay View to address social issues of diversity, including the topics of race, gender and religion. These lectures serve to enlighten minds and create dialogue on these topics.

He was preceded in death by parents Bette Child Loyd and John F. Loyd of Findlay, Ohio and brother Christopher Child Loyd of Toledo, Ohio.

He is survived by two brothers, John F. Loyd, Jr. (Susan) of Harpswell, Maine and Ric Loyd (Lisa) of Petoskey, Michigan. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, as well  as many relatives and friends.

A service for Donald will be held at a later date at the Crouse Memorial Chapel in Bay View.

Those wishing to honor Donald may do so by continuing his legacy in support of the Diversity Initiative in Bay View. Contributions may be made to: Education Guest Lectureship Fund Bay View Association, PO Box 583, Petoskey, Michigan 49770. (Please make checks out to Bay View Association).

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