Lloyd Ditto

(From Ozark Memorial Park Crematory)

Lloyd Alan Ditto passed away August 22, 2024 at National Healthcare in Joplin, Missouri. He was born to Robert and Fern Ditto November 9, 1930 in Kansas City, Missouri. The family lived in Kansas City, Texas, Oklahoma, and Neosho, Missouri where Lloyd graduated from high school in the class of 1949. He was active in sports there, playing football, tennis and American Legion baseball. Lloyd was also in the senior class play and served on the Class Reunion committee years later.

He played tennis for 40 years with friends at the Roanoke public court and the Cypress Acres Tennis
Club. Lloyd was heavily involved in Little League Baseball and helped build Henson Field with other
American League dads. He also enjoyed snow skiing, fishing, and playing golf.

Lloyd attended Joplin Junior College on a football scholarship where he met his future wife, Ruth Marie
Murray. They married in 1953 and together had one son John. He graduated in 1951 and began working at 4-State Radio Supply Company. 

In 1977, Lloyd and Clyde Morrison purchased 4-State Radio Supply and Norman Electronics. These companies later became Cardinal Electronics. He retired in 1996 after 45 years.

He was a partner in Arrowhead Development Company from 1967 to 2002 which enabled many friends and family to purchase property on Beaver Lake. He served in the Naval Reserve from 1953 to 1958 in
Texas. He was a ground crew member on F4U Corsairs and early jet aircraft.

Lloyd married Sara Belden in 1984. They traveled extensively including trips to Europe and the United
Kingdom. They enjoyed many Februarys on Padre Island and Augusts in Cuchara, Colorado.

He was active in civic affairs. Lloyd served on the Needs Assessment Committee for the Joplin R-8
School District and on an advisory committee for Franklin Tech. He was a member of the Joplin Jaycees, Optimist Club, and was a Rotary Club board member. Lloyd was on the Jazz in Joplin Committee from its inception to end. He and Sara were on the Mercy Hospital Blast from the Past committee for 10 years.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Imogene Holloway and Roberta Duckstein, brothers
Harold and Carl Ditto, and nephew Dennis Ditto. He is survived by son John, wife Sara, and stepsons Scott Belden (Judy) and Russ Belden. Additional survivors include nieces Donna Cupp (Steve) and Brenda Holloway.

Dad was a kind and gentle man, a loving father and husband, and always willing to help others. The family would like to thank his caregivers at Freeman Hospital, NHC, and a special thank you to Paula Pruitt, his nurse and neighbor who always went above and beyond in caring for Dad in the home.

A visitation will be held Sunday September 8th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 509 Pearl Avenue in Joplin. A private family graveside service will be held following. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Joplin Humane Society.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park Crematory, Joplin.