John H. Lloyd, III

JOHN H. LLOYD, III

The longtime voice of Notre Dame sports, John H. (“Jack”) Lloyd, III, died on Thursday September 17, 2015 after a short illness.  John had recently celebrated his 79th birthday and at the time of his death was again lovingly surrounded by his children and sister. 

Born in Michigan City, Indiana on June 28, 1936, John lived his entire life in South Bend, although he enjoyed time in Arizona and on Lake Michigan.  John graduated from Holy Cross Grade School, Campion High School, and the University of Notre Dame.  A little over one year after his 1958 college graduation, John married Linda Bergin on June 13, 1959 in Fallon, Nevada.  Linda preceded John in death on February 21, 2007.  John and Linda were blessed with five children: Catherine Smogor, Cynthia (Mike) Orr, Candace (George) Thurner, John (Margaret) Lloyd, and James (Debra) Lloyd.  John and Linda were the proud grandparents of sixteen grandchildren: Amanda Smogor, Samantha (Cody) Dorff, Danny Smogor, Jimmy Smogor, Matthew Orr, Melissa Orr, Alexandria Thurner, Katie Thurner, Chrissy Thurner, George Thurner, Meg Lloyd, Jack Lloyd, Josephine Lloyd, Jane Lloyd, Keira Lloyd and Kate Lloyd.  John is also survived by his sister, Georgina (Ric) Trentman and sister-in-in law, Nora Lloyd.  John was preceded in death by his parents Georgina and John, as well as his brother Bill.

John took over the insurance agency started by his grandfather and grew the business into one of the most successful agencies in South Bend.  John’s ready wit, keen intellect and incredible memory made him a trusted advisor to his clients and a respected colleague to his professional peers.  At the height of his career, the Lloyd Insurance Agency was the agency of choice for regional healthcare providers and supermarkets, small businesses and individuals alike.  John was diligent, creative, and precise in all things, which served him well during stints as president of the Summit Club, Kiwanis, and South Bend Country Club, as well as his service as a major in the United States Army Reserves.

John also enjoyed a long career as the public address announcer for many Notre Dame athletic teams, where he was known as “Jack.”  He served as the Notre Dame men’s basketball announcer from 1964 through 1996, beginning in the Fieldhouse and ending in the Joyce Center.  An instantly-recognizable voice to Irish fans over that time, John made each game a memorable event, legendary in equal part for player introductions and getting fans involved in the game.  On January 14, 1997, John returned to the Joyce Center microphone one last time when he received an honorary Notre Dame monogram.  He also served as the football press box announcer for nearly fifty years, from 1966 through 2013.  At various times and for many years, John served as the public address announcer for the Notre Dame hockey and fencing teams, as well as for Bookstore Basketball, the Bengal Bouts and for the Chicago Bears. 

John’s greatest joy was in providing abundantly and lovingly for his family, all of whom came to appreciate his insistence to do all things with complete commitment, but without affectation or false pride.   He focused on his responsibilities rather than his rights and ingrained that perspective in each of his children.  His grandchildren, each of whom he made feel intelligent and important, were molded by his example of always striving to do the right thing in matters big and small.  John’s precision and attention to detail provided order to his life and made him a source of strength for his friends and family.  Above all, John was a dutiful son, supportive brother, steadfast friend, loving husband, and nurturing father/grandfather.  His spirit sings in the souls of the lives he touched.

Visitation will take place on Monday, September 21 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Palmer Funeral Home (Hickey Chapel), 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend.  A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St Therese, Little Flower Catholic Church, 54191 N. Ironwood, South Bend at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2015. Graveside services and burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, IN.

In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make contributions to the Foundation for the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545. Online condolences may be left for the Lloyd family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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