It was New Year’s Eve 1969 when Mike moved to Ketchum. After a summer camping in the Boulder Mountains to avoid the draft, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. However, instead of going to Vietnam like most of his friends, he was fortunate enough to be sent to the U.S. Army recreation base in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, where he secured a job with the U.S. Army Ski Patrol. His fortune continued as he made lifelong friendships with patrollers that would endure in Sun Valley, and ultimately met his future wife, Simone Irion of Nashville, Tennessee. Simone and Mike moved back to Idaho together in the fall of 1973. The two had the first wedding ever held at Galena Lodge in the spring of 1974. It was a wild western wedding, a blending of hippies, cowboys and southerners. They were married 37 years.
In the 10 years that followed, Mike would continue to enjoy mountain life, alternating seasons between Sawtooth Construction and the Sun Valley Ski Patrol. His next chapter began in March 1985, when his daughter, Monique, was born and Mike became a father. He was an awesome dad, teaching Monique all of his favorite hobbies—skiing, fishing, camping—as well as passing down his incredible work ethic. His life revolved around his daughter’s accomplishments, culminating in the honor of presenting her doctoral hood at her medical school graduation. Mike and Monique had a special bond, and he always was so proud of her.
"52" continued his stellar work on the Sun Valley Ski Patrol, where he served as supervisor followed by 18 years as director. He was admired by his prior colleagues for his leadership skills and his ability to build a family from a bunch of boisterous, strong-willed and wild patrollers. The team had an unwavering respect for Mike and the network of trust he created. He later trained and handled the famous avalanche dog Jake, who was his best friend until the end. He retired in 2018 after working for Sun Valley Co. for over 40 years.
During his retirement, he enjoyed skiing on Baldy, fishing at Silver Creek, pheasant hunting and playing golf with his buddies. He loved rodeo and could often be found working at the Hailey Rodeo with the Uhrig boys. He found enormous joy and laughter from his two grandchildren, Casper and Sloan, with whom he spent a lot of time during his last year of life. After 55 years in the valley, Mike leaves behind a large network of friends, family and loved ones.
Mike is survived by his brothers, Thomas (Norma), Roger (Judy), and Jim Lloyd; daughter, Monique Irion Lloyd, and son-in-law, Matthew Carples; grandchildren, Casper and Sloan Carples; nieces and nephews; Simone; and Jake Dog.
52’s Last Wreck celebration will be held in September. Details to follow, all are welcome.
If anyone would like to make a donation in his honor, please consider the Sun Valley Ski Patrol scholarship and avalanche dog fund. Venmo: @SVSP-Workers.
(Reprinted from Idaho Mountain Express with permission 8/20/24)