Lloyd Thomas Stagg

Lloyd Thomas Stagg, OMC, USN (ret) was launched on May 20, 1937, in Helena, Montana; and he embarked on his final voyage October 6, 2020, in Pensacola, Florida. Born to Irwin Loyd Stagg and Grace Lillian Caverly, he was the oldest of 5 children: Lynn William, Susan Frances, Leroy Dean, and Don Perry. During his early years in Helena, Lloyd was very active in Boy Scouts, being one of the first Order of the Arrow members in Montana. He never quite achieved his Eagle Scout award because he discovered girls. In his junior year of high school, Lloyd won the national indoor rifle championship and later the distinguished rifleman award. This would eventually lead to his shooting competitively for the U. S. Navy and becoming proficient with a starting canon for Pensacola Yacht Club regattas. Lloyd joined the National Guard in 1954. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy on June 7, 1956 as an E-3 HSSN. After boot camp in San Diego, he attended Opticalman A School and was trained in Machine Shop and for repair of binoculars, periscopes, and other navigational equipment. He served until his retirement on May 30, 1985. During his career as a Navy Opticalman, he served on several ships including USS AMPHION, USS AJAX, USS DELTA, USS GILMORE, USS GRAND CANYON, and USS SHENANDOAH as well as shore duty billets at SuBase New London, Naval Exam Center Great Lakes, OM School Great Lakes, and NETPDC Pensacola. While at SuBase New London, at the Medical Research Lab, he served as surface support for SEALAB I, the man in the sea project near Bermuda. Also during his tenure at the Medical Research Lab, he was one of the few (or only) men trained in the U. S. Navy to manufacture monkey helmets for experimental purposes. While stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Station, Lloyd became active in the Navy Sailing Program and was instrumental in starting the All Navy Sailing Championships in the early 1970’s. Lloyd was preceded in death by his father, Irwin Loyd Stagg, his mother, Grace Lilllian Caverly, and a brother, Leroy Dean Stagg. Fifty-seven years ago, Lloyd married Beverly Ann Fontanella Stagg, who survives him. He always claimed that he was just following orders when a Navy Dental Captain told him that he had hired “just the girl for you.” He is also survived by his siblings, Lynn William Stagg of Florence, AZ; Susan Frances Sias (Russell) of Delta, UT, Don Perry Stagg of Everett, WA, a niece/daughter Leann Catherine McDonald (Wayne) and several other nieces and nephews. During his Naval Service, Lloyd and Beverly lived in Sasebo, Japan; Alameda, California; Great Lakes, Illinois; La Maddalena, Italy; Jacksonville, Florida; Norfolk, Virginia; and finally sailed their beloved Tartan 30 sailboat SQUAW into Pensacola Bay on June 20, 1979, to begin their final tour of duty and retirement years. Lloyd was an active member of Navy Yacht Club and served as Commodore and Fleet Captain. He originated the Bikini Regatta which encouraged women to skipper and race sailboats in Pensacola Bay. He served Pensacola Yacht Club as Fleet Captain for four years as well as Rear Commodore. He successfully sailed and raced SQUAW to several club and individual championships. Other memberships include the Florida Commodores Assn., Elks, American Legion, and several Navy ships’ associations. In later years, Lloyd and Beverly thoroughly enjoyed taking “big boat” cruises to foreign ports, because Lloyd didn’t have to stand any duty watches. The family expresses extreme thanks for the loving care by Covenant Hospice. A Celebration of Life will be held at Pensacola Yacht Club November 1, 2020, at 2 p.m.; and interment whenever Beverly can finally join him in an Eternal Reef ceremony.

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Lloyd Thomas Stagg

May 20, 1937 - October 6, 2020