Loyd Sammons

Loyd "Steelhead" Sammons

Loyd was born and raised in Hitchens, Kentucky. He lived in Hitchins until he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and was sent to Camp Challis in Idaho. His CCC years were some of the “best years of my life” he later would say. It was in the CCCs he received the nickname of “Steelhead” which was the only name many of the older residents of Challis knew him by. Loyd later worked for Boeing in Seattle. At the entry of the USA in WWII, he enlisted in the Marines and was part of the battle of Iwo Jima. Following the war, he returned to Challis in 1946 where he has lived since.

On May 16, 1948, he married Doris Gardiol of Challis whose parents and grandparents had been some of the early-day pioneers in the Challis and Mackay areas. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service in the Challis National Forest until his retirement.

For more than 50 years, he was a member of the American Legion, where he was a service officer helping veterans and veterans’ widows receive their benefits. One of his highest obligations was honoring those who had fought for their country. He also was a member of the Masonic Lodge, volunteered at Senior Citizens and had a great interest in the Challis Museum.

Loyd and Doris’ yard is an object of admiration for many Challis residents. Although in recent years, Doris had to reduce the size of her flower beds and Loyd didn’t have a garden, their yard still looked neat as a pin and beautiful to boot. Loyd couldn’t resist tending the volunteer sunflowers or potatoes that popped up.

Survivors include his daughters, Marie Sasser of Boise, Chrystal (Steve) McCormick of Idaho Falls and Delores (Doug) Rumble of Ammon; sisters Anna Lois Burke of Cabin Creek, W.Va and Elizabeth Rogers of Ceredo, W.Va; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grand-children. He was preceded in death by his parents and six brothers and one sister.

Funeral services were held at the Challis Mission Church, August 7. Graveside military rites were performed by Philip Kirk Post of the American Legion. His grandson, Dan Rumble who is with the Idaho National Guard training in Texas to be sent to Irag, participated in the rites as well and presented the flag to Doris.

Doris will be staying at her daughter Chrystal’s in Idaho Falls until returning to Challis with her daughter Marie later on in September.

Loyd always greeted everyone with a smile and a joke. Many Challisites were very helpful in “watching” out for Loyd in his purple car as he checked out the changes at the Challis Golf Course or the activities at the Forest Service compound.

“Semper Fi (always faithful)", the Marine Corps motto, was also true of Loyd’s life. He was faithful in his service to his family, his community and his country. Loyd was born in Kentucky and loved his heritage, but Challis, Idaho was in his heart.