Lloyd Payne Stiewig

Lloyd Payne “Pinky” Stiewig, 77, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Rogue Regional Hospital, from Multiple Myeloma, on October 17, 2022.

Pinky was born on October 7, 1945, in Vallejo, California to Theodore and Dorothy (Martin) Stiewig. He was the youngest of four brothers, Theodore Eugene Jr. who preceded him in death in 1983, Herbert Martin (wife Mary) and William Robert (wife Denise).

He graduated from Vallejo High School in 1963. In 1965, while attending Vallejo Junior College he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He became a Morse Code Operator, stationed in the Philippines and in Shemya, Alaska. During his service he received the Expert Marksman Ribbon, President’s Unit Citation and Vietnam Ribbon. He received an honorable discharge in 1968.

Pinky completed his two-year degree at Vallejo Junior college and then went on to get his BA in 1974 at Southern Oregon College. He majored in History and Social Science with a minor in Anthropology.

He married Linda “Karen” Keyte on November 22, 1969 at the First Baptist Church in Grants Pass, Oregon. After he finished college they moved to the family homestead and built a log cabin. Pinky and Karen lived in the cabin for ten years. During that time, they had a son and daughter. It was a wonderful experience that they all look back on with fond memories.

Lloyd worked at the Job Council for twenty-eight years, where among other things he taught resume writing and job training to hundreds of youth and adults.

As a youth he was a member of the Boy Scouts of America earning the Eagle Scout Award. He continued his membership for over fifty years and was honored with the Silver Beaver Award. During that time, he and his older brother Ted were Scout Masters of Troop 22. One of the highlights for the Scouts was an annual fifty-mile canoe trip on the Sacramento River.

He was an active member of Golden Rule Lodge 78, IOOF in Grants Pass and served as Grand Master of Oregon in 2005/2006. He was also active in the Etna Rebekah Lodge No. 49 and was Chief Patriarch of Paran Encampment No.29 in 2001-02.

He attended First Baptist Church in Grants Pass, Merlin Community Baptist in Merlin, and Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Grants Pass. His favorite hymn was “The Old Rugged Cross”.

Pinky loved life, his family and people in general. He never met a stranger. His family knew if they stopped at a rest area, when they came out, Pinky would be in deep conversation with someone he had just met. He loved the outdoors, hunting, hiking, camping and canoeing. He enjoyed doing Edged Weapons with his son and grandsons. He also spent time doing bead work, wood carving, flint knapping, collecting stuff, playing cards and reading nonfiction.

Pinky with his wife Karen spent weeks at a time traveling by car through the Western States and Canada seeing the sights and visiting family and friends along the way.

He is survived by his wife, Karen, whom he had been married to for 52 years, his son, daughter, son in law, four grandchildren, two brothers, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Theodore and Dorothy Stiewig, his brother Theodore Stiewig JR, and grandson Joshua Stiewig.

Pinky was generous to his community with his time, energy and, finances. He will be greatly missed.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Parkway Christian Center.