Lloyd Allen Marine, a son of Tennessee and Southwest Va, has died.

To be clear, Lloyd was no hero. Sure, he served his country proudly as an Army man in Korea. And yes, he volunteered at the VA Hospital in Salem, Va, for 20 years with his wife Janice as an honorary woman with the Roanoke Valley Women's Club. And yes, when his boss and friend at Shockley's Body Shop died young, he completed all unfinished jobs, closed the business and handed every penny to Shock's widow. That widow became his mother-in-law whom he doted on, especially in her retirement.

Again, no hero, when as a married man, his home welcomed all who needed a home for a day, weekend or even years, including family, friends and the occasional neighbor kid. He was a magnet for animals and his heart was broken each time an ancient cat he said he never wanted, died. And he was inconsolable each time a beloved dog passed on.

There's nothing heroic about being able to build and repair anything, but one could argue that passing along mechanical and engineering skills to all is worthy of sainthood. And his bravery and patience in teaching his mother-in-law how to drive up the old Mill Mountain Road deserves a medal.

Lloyd graduated from William Fleming High School, Class of 1958, and retired from Carter Machinery (Caterpillar), after 30 years. He gardened, recycled and loved sitting for hours wearing a bucket hat in the salt water of the Gulf of Mexico. He loved watching classic movies and was an avid reader of mysteries. He rafted and hiked in New Mexico, and took in many Broadway shows on visits to NYC.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his mother and father, Mary Jane and Lawrence Marine, four sisters and two brothers: Meryl (Munsy) Sloane, Lena (James) Cabe, Burnice (Ray) Moore, Beatrice (Tip) Tipton, Mayford (Iris) Marine, Lawrence Jr. (Brenda) Marine, all of Tennessee and South Carolina.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 57 years, Janice, his son Michael, his grandchild Lisa, two brothers-in law, David Shockley (Savannah, Ga) and James Shockley (Roanoke, Va), a sister-in-law Linda Shockley (NYC), numerous nieces and nephews, including one special niece Jama (Gene) Holt (Walland, TN) and a special nephew J.W. (Gloria) Marine (Kingston, TN ).

Lloyd Allen Marine was beloved. Actually, he was our hero. Always and forever.