This came from Brad Baker today RE PID Freddie Joyce:
Friends and fellow Lions, I'm sure many of you have heard, but our good friend
and great ambassador PID Freddie Joyce passed away on August 17. His daughter
Karen texted this information to me yesterday. Freddie passed away on his 94th
birthday from a stroke he suffered on May 23.
Freddie was loved by everyone he met. He was just an outstanding and
good-hearted person who dedicated his life to helping other people. Because of
the relationship between my Dad and Freddie, they thought of each other as
"brothers from another mother", we were very close to him and his family.
Karen indicated that Freddie's wife Audrey is in the final stages of dementia
and is being cared for by her brother Ron.
I relayed to her how much her father was loved by all of us at Mid-South. I
know many of you did not have the chance to really know Freddie, but those of
us who did know him will never forget his easy laugh, his quick wit and his
always present heart for service. On many occasions when Freddie was relating
Mid-South stories, his voice shook and his lip quivered as tears came to his
eyes...a fact he was very proud of. He was a strong believer in what we do,
and he will be sorely missed by us all.
Since we were unable to attend the memorial service, I'm hoping that each of
you who can will write a brief comment about Freddie that I can forward on to
the family. In Karen's words yesterday, "We are devastated". Perhaps we can
provide some small comfort with some anecdotes or memories of Freddie.
This came from LCI late yesterday:
With deep regret we must inform you that Freddie A. Joyce, Past International
Director (1988-1990) passed away on August 17, 2017. He was 94 years old.
A member of the Searcy Lions Club since 1970, Past Director Joyce held many
offices within the association, including club president, district governor,
and council chairman. He also served as a board member and chairman of the
Arkansas Eye and Kidney Bank, as a long-time board member, ambassador and
President of Mid-South Lions Sight And Hearing Service, and as a board member
of Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind (now WSB). For his many contributions to
the association, the late Past Director Joyce was recognized with the 100%
District Governor Award, the 100% Club President Award, the Senior Master Key
Award, 12 Certificate of Appreciation Awards, five International President's
Awards and the Ambassador of Good Will Award. He was also a multi-level
Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.
Active in his community, the late Past Director Joyce served on the board of
directors of the American Red Cross and was regional director of the Boy
Scouts. In August 1989, he was appointed by the governor of Arkansas to a
four-year term to the Division of Services for the Blind of the Arkansas
Department of Human Services. He also served as president of the Red Cross and
been involved in several local sports for children. Additionally, the late Past
Director Joyce was a military veteran spending 28 years in the Air Force which
included service during World War II. He was a member of the First Baptist
Church in Searcy, a Shriner, and a Mason. He also enjoyed a successful career
as in marketing management with a major medical company.
A dedicated husband to his spouse Audra, loving father, grandfather, uncle and
good friend to many the late Past Director Joyce will be greatly missed. Please
remember the family in your prayers during this difficult time.
Graveside services were held on August 21, 2017 under the direction of the
Roller-Daniel Funeral Home. An Online guestbook is available for condolences
at Freddie Joyce
Condolences may also be sent to
Mrs. Audra Joyce
100 Lions Way
Searcy, Arkansas 72143 8742
USA
His obituary from Roller-Daniel Funeral Home in Searcy:
Freddie A. Joyce 94 passed away August 17, 2017 in Searcy, Arkansas. He was
born to the late A.Z. and Cassie Joyce on August 17, 1923 in Searcy, Arkansas..
He is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Bertha Baker and Velear Key
Boyer; two brothers John Joyce and Gene Joyce.
He is survived by his wife Audra Joyce, a son Ron Joyce, a daughter Karen Vire
(Clay) both of Searcy; a granddaughter Lynley Vire of Fayetteville; and a host
of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Mr. Joyce was a career military veteran spending 28 years in the Air Force
which included service during World War II. He was a member of the First
Baptist Church in Searcy, a Shriner, a Mason and the Director of Lions Club
International.
Graveside Service will be Monday, August 21, 2017 at 2:00P.M.; under the
direction of Roller-Daniel Funeral Home, with Brother David Crouch officiating.
Online guestbook rollerfuneralhomes.com
J. Y. Miller------------------WWW---------------->
