Dr. Grover David Cloyd, veterinarian, medical researcher, and recipient of 27 patents, passed away on December 23, 2017 at the age of 99.
Dr. Cloyd was a well-known in the circle of veterinary medical research, traveling the world to meet with partner companies, clients, and governments. He was recognized as one of the foremost experts on fleas and was a recipient of a patent on the flea collar for consumer use. As an expert in this field, he appeared on the Today Show, To Tell the Truth and What\u0027s My Line TV shows. He was a board member of many professional associations and was a past President of the American Association of Industrial Veterinarians and past Secretary of the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association.
Born in 1918, he was a graduate of Columbia Military Academy, Auburn University, joining the US Army as Major immediately following graduate school. He owned a large animal veterinary practice in Florence Alabama, but after 10 years, his career turned to medical research and development of consumer products with Provico and Hess \u0026 Clark in Ohio. He attended the University of Akron Law School studying patent law. Most recently, he was Director of Veterinary Medicine and Consumer Products Research and Development at A.H. Robbins in Richmond, VA where he participated in the development of many pharmaceuticals including Dopram, a respiratory stimulant. He retired in 1985.
At the age of 70, Doc learned the Morse Code and became a Ham Radio operator and General License holder. Living in Fairhope Alabama at the time, he taught classes in HAM radio and Morse Code. He also served as the Baldwin County, Alabama Amateur Radio Emergency Service Coordinator.
Doc had a million stories and enjoyed making people laugh. We will miss his love, his intelligence, and his ornery temperament offset by his witty sense of humor.
Dr. Cloyd\u0027s death was preceded by that of his wife, Doris Piper Cloyd, his brother, Will John Cloyd, and his parents, Dr. Thomas D. and Maude E. (Hixon) Cloyd. Survivors include his daughters Connie Cloyd Weyrick and Karen Cloyd Pience (Roger), both of Staunton, and his son, Thomas Lee Cloyd (Hella) of Austin, TX. He also leaves 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Friends of Bryan Park, P.O. Box 15481, Richmond, VA 23227.
Life celebration will be held Sunday, January 7, 1:00 pm at The Club at Ironwood, 62 Country Club Circle, Staunton, VA.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton, is in charge of his arrangements.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net.