Loyd Carson Planting

Our beloved father, Loyd Carson Planting, passed away Sunday morning February 26^th, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he lived for the past 15 years.  He was born in Los Angeles and spent his summers pumping gas on the docks in Lake Tahoe, but his true home was always Arizona.  He loved the desert and enjoyed hiking the trails around Tucson.

He lived internationally for a time in both Mexico and Canada pursuing advanced degrees in Medicine.  His last stop was the University of Arizona where he held the distinction of being the first graduate of the University of Arizona’s Family Practice Program.

He enjoyed being a doctor and loved helping those who were truly in need.  He participated in a mission trip to Mexico with Doctors Without Borders. In his private practice, he had a heart for the less fortunate and frequently served them free of charge. He traveled all over Arizona helping underserved communities, from the prisons, to the Indian Reservations, to Nogales.  One of his favorite places to work was Sierra Vista, and he had many fond memories of those he worked with there.

Family was his greatest treasure, and he literally loved nothing more than being with us.  He was married to the love of his life Judy, for 22 years, with whom he had four children. He became a Christian later in his life and almost daily, despite enormous physical hardships, thanked God for giving him such a wonderful family.  He was looking forward to seeing Jesus face to face and reconnecting with his beloved mother Helen Gale, father Purl Planting, and brother William Planting in Heaven.

During his life, Loyd served in both the Marines and was a Major in the Air Force. He was an avid music lover and told us stories of the jazz clubs he visited as an undergraduate at USC.  He had an extensive music collection, heavy on the jazz side and if coaxed, he would play some fabulous tunes on the piano by ear.

After landing in Little Rock in 2009, he enjoyed spending time with his friends at Andover and was especially thankful for pastor Bob’s sermons.

He is survived by and will be greatly missed by his four children and their families. 

Daughter Laurie Allen, husband Chris Allen and grandson Keegan Allen.

Daughter Christianne Wisinger, husband Mike Wisinger, and granddaughters Isabella and Ava Wisinger.

Daughter Noelle Johnson, husband Brian Johnson, grandson Samuel Johnson and granddaughter Emma Johnson.

And yes, he finally got that boy, son Michael Planting, his wife Anna Planting, grandsons Joshua and Caleb Planting and granddaughter Addie Planting.

In honoring our father’s last wishes, we will not hold a visitation or funeral, but will take his ashes back home to Tucson and sprinkle them in the hills he loved. 

In lieu of flowers you may send donations to Doctors Without Borders or the VA.