Gerald "Clyde" Loftin

Funeral services for Gerald “Clyde” Loftin of Apple Springs will be held Friday, April 10, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor John Boone officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery in Apple Springs.

The world lost a true legend on April 1, 2026 when Clyde Loftin, age 51, took his last breath here on earth and gained his wings. Clyde, born July 17, 1974, was a mud slingin’, trail blazin’, four-wheel drivin’ Daredevil, who always only had “2 beers”.

Clyde’s proudest role in life by far was being the most loving, caring, and committed husband, dad, and “Pops”. No matter the situation, he always made sure his wife and kids were taken care of and knew that they were loved beyond measure.

Clyde, affectionately known as “Clydesdale” by all his friends and “your HIGHness” by medical staff, was one of the best friends anyone could have ever had. Whether it was heartfelt advice or a helping hand, Clyde was always just a phone call away, even if you were just speaking to his voicemail or waiting for him to learn how to check his messages.

When life presented a challenge, he’d flash that wild grin and hit you with his favorite question: “How Bad Do You Want It?”, meaning if you really want it, “get off your butt and make it happen”!

He didn’t believe in clean trucks, easy jobs, or backing down. Whether he was buried to the axles in a mud hole, cab deep in a river when drowning his truck, or elbow deep in a busted pipe, he attacked everything with the same unstoppable energy. He could fix a leak, build a racecar from the ground up, or be raising his five rowdy kids and he always kept the same positive attitude.

He was the guy who’d pull you out of a ditch, patch your pipes, and then remind you of both for the next decade, and don’t let him pull out your “high dollar side by side” with his “cheap little Samurai” or you would never hear the end of it.

Everywhere Clyde went he never met a stranger and he’s probably had more friends than most people have had acquaintances. Clyde had some of the most loyal friends, earned through long days, late nights and the kind of chaos only he could turn into a good time. He lived loud and fast, loved hard and worked like a man who refused to leave anything halfway. His legacy he is leaving behind are his kids “that would cut for him”, his constant jokes and sarcasm, and his drive to enjoy life regardless of what obstacles are thrown your way.

The trails will be quieter without him. The mud holes will sit untouched, waiting for someone brave enough to follow in his ruts. Everyone who knew him will carry his words when life gets tough: “How Bad Do You Want It?”

Ride on Clydesdale, go find heavens mud holes and scout them out for us. Find God’s leaky pipes and get them fixed. We will carry your legacy day in and day out. We love you Dad, Always and Forever. Give heaven some heck!!

Survivors include his loving wife of 15 years, his “Darlin” Phylecia Loftin, whom he absolutely adored; sons, Dakota Jackson, Colton Allen and wife Ana, Dylan Conner; daughters, Brianna Gardner and fiancé Justin, Brayli Blalock and husband Chase; grandchildren, Jaxon Stoner, Salem Gardner, Memphis Gardner, Velma Allen, Gannon “Clyde” Blalock, Rowan Blalock, Colson Gilbert; brother, Christopher Kalb; sister, Lanesa Wallace; fishing buddy and honorary sister, Alycia Jordan; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Gladys Loftin; and brothers, Kirkland Clayton and David Loftin.

Pallbearers will be his lifelong best friend Brad Blackwell, Kevin Strickland, Shane Martin, Danny “Pup” Elliott, Tim Hutchison, Jeffery Bounds, Roy Wade, Dakota Jackson, Dylan Conner, and Colton Allen.

Honorary pallbearers will be all of his Strickland Plumbing family.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.