President Clinton Honors The Life Of Dr. David A. Loiry In Letter To William Loiry

PRESIDENT CLINTON HONORS THE LIFE OF DR. DAVID A. LOIRY IN LETTER TO WILLIAM LOIRY

NEW YORK - October 7, 2009. Dear Bill: Hillary and I were sorry to hear of your father's death.

Our hearts go out to you and your loved ones during this difficult time. As you mourn this great loss, I hope that you take comfort in the fond memories of your father. He was a remarkable man, and you should be proud of the CGI Commitment to Action you made in his name. This good work will not only help to improve the world; it will continue Dr. Loiry's legacy and serve as a lasting tribute to the rich life he led. I am keeping you in my thoughts.

Sincerely,

President Bill Clinton


PATRIARCH OF THE LOIRY FAMILY DIES

LYNN HAVEN, FLORIDA - September 24, 2009. Dr. David Alan Loiry, 80, died Wednesday, September 24, 2009 in Panama City, Fla. He had resided in Lynn Haven, Fla. since 1988. His family includes his son, William Loiry, his daughter, Jeanette Loiry; three grandchildren, Andrea, Brett, and Michelle; four great-grandchildren, Evan, Amaya, Kaylee, and Tony; and his sister, Eleanor Hare.

His family remembers him as a magnificent life force, who raised a loving family, helped thousands of people through his psychology practice, and helped further improve the world by supporting his son’s work in relations with the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, worldwide disaster response, U.S. homeland security, and clean energy. His continuing legacy will include emotional and physical wellness strategies as well as a Clinton Global Initiative commitment to facilitate understanding between the world’s religions.

His life philosophy was: “We are all here on Earth to learn and to love each other.” He was an extraordinary empathetic friend to all. “What do you have to do to be worthwhile?”, he would ask. “Absolutely nothing. All of us are already worthwhile.”

David Loiry was born October 31, 1928 in Chillicothe, Ohio – the state’s original capital city. He considered Sylacauga, Alabama his home because he graduated from high school there. One of his friends also attending Sylacauga High School was Jimmy Neighbors, who later became famous as a renowned singer and as an actor on the television series, “Gomer Pyle USMC”.

In 1946, David enlisted in the old Army Air Corps. Shortly thereafter, the Army Air Corps became the United States Air Force, of which David became a charter member. He then served in the World War II occupation of Japan. Later, David served a second tour of duty in the Air Force as an officer.

David received his Bachelor’s Degree from Auburn University in 1953, his Master’s Degree from George Washington University in 1959, and his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Alabama in 1969.

In 1956, when David was working as an insurance adjuster in Washington, DC, he went to a social event one Sunday evening at the National Presbyterian Church. There he met a beautiful young woman named Carol Bender. The following Sunday, David proposed to Carol on the banks of the Potomac River (she said “yes”). Carol Loiry was the love of his life for 51 years.

David Loiry has been a distinguished leader in the fields of psychology, mental health, personal growth, and wellness for many decades. In Decatur, Alabama, he was the Executive Director of a four-county mental health center, during which time he was twice elected as the President of the Alabama Council of Mental Health Center Directors. He later became Director of the mental health center in Sarasota, Florida, and Clinical Director of the old Rivendell Psychiatric Hospital. He was appointed by Florida Governor Bob Graham to the Florida Board of Psychological Examiners and was elected President of the Florida Psychological Association. For many years, David and his wife Carol conducted numerous personal growth workshops. And in 1982, they published a personal growth book, A Time To Live.

David was deeply spiritual, was very involved in First United Methodist Church, and loved the Asbury Class.

All his friends are invited to David Loiry’s Life Celebration, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at First United Methodist Church in Panama City. Reverend David Warren will be leading the Celebration. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First United Methodist Church for the food pantry, to help feed the homeless.