James H. Lloyd, age 61, of Prior Lake, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on March 23, 2024. A Gathering of Family & Friends will be held at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (4565 Pleasant Street SE) in Prior Lake on Friday, June 7, 2024, from 12:00 – 3:00 PM with closing words at 3:00 PM. The celebration of Jim’s life will continue at Jim’s Shop following the service.
James Harold Lloyd was born in Harvey, ND on April 27, 1962, to parents, James & Merry (Aakre) Lloyd. From the start, Jim loved being on the farm in North Dakota. This is where he learned his strong work ethic and developed a love of the land. When Jim was 12, his family left farming and moved to Minnesota. Jim was so sad to leave because his heart and soul were in North Dakota, but he always knew that he’d make it back there someday.
Jim was a daredevil. If there was something to crash, jump off of or start on fire… Jim was there to do it. He was always up for a good time and had a great sense of humor. Jim was a prankster, and some of his pranks are famously known in the area.
From a young age, Jim had a drive and determination unlike most. He began his professional career hauling garbage and working nights at Fabcon while in high school. After graduating from Prior Lake High School in 1980, Jim had more free time to do what he loved, work!
Throughout the years, Jim also worked for Ziegler CAT where he started sweeping floors in the shop, became a mechanic and eventually traveled the country as a field service technician and equipment demonstrator. Jim started his own company, Lloyd Excavating. He loved the work and ran his own business until the mid 2000’s when he returned to agriculture. In 2008, Jim got back to his true love – farming the land in North Dakota. He traveled back and forth during farming season and spent his winters in Minnesota. Jim always worked hard to provide for his family.
Jim’s first marriage to Patty Haugh gave him the two greatest gifts of his life, Lizzy and Katie. Jim loved being a dad. Jim was remarried on March 9, 2007, to the love of his life, Julie. Jim openly welcomed her two daughters, Erica and Alecia. They blended their families and built a beautiful life together. With five women in the house, Jim was definitely outnumbered, but he loved every second of it. Nothing made him happier or more proud than his family.
As a family, they enjoyed winter vacations and taking summer road trips in the motor home which Jim referred to as “The Hen House”. They’d visit new places every year and made lots of special memories along the way. They also enjoyed family game nights and supper with the girls as often as they could in between sports and activities. Time with his family was the thing Jim cherished most. This was especially true once the grandkids started to arrive. They brought so much joy into Jim’s life, and he absolutely adored them.
In his free time, Jim enjoyed working on classic trucks and tinkering in his shop. He was a total motorhead and could drive anything no matter the size. In the winter, Jim loved going with Julie on their 2-3 weeklong road trips. They headed south with no destination and no reservations, always finding the scenic route along the way.
Jim was known for his wit and doing anything to get a laugh, but beyond his silliness, there was a real depth to him too. He was always so supportive and encouraging of the girls. They could count on him for anything. Jim could talk to anyone, and he made friends easily. He always kept his cool and was a steady presence for the people close to him.
When Jim was diagnosed with cancer, he never let it get him down. He was courageous and fought hard to get better. He remained positive and persevered to the end.
Jim will be remembered always by his wife, Julie; daughters, Elizabeth (Cooper) Schultz, Katie (Wyatt White) Lloyd, Erica (Javilyn) Jodsaas, Alecia (Isaiah) Borchardt; grandkids, Viviana and Judson Schultz, Krue Jodsaas, and Otto Borchardt; mother, Merry Lloyd; siblings, Kyle Lloyd and John (Stephanie) Lloyd; other loving relatives and many dear friends. Jim is preceded by his father, James O. Lloyd.
