Rjay Lloyd

Rjay Lloyd passed peacefully at his home on Friday, August 28, 2026. He is survived by his wife Sara Ann Mickelson, his four daughters Amy (Eric Faas), Allison (Richard Smith), MaryAnn (James Bria) Holly (Gary Tanner), nephew Brian Lloyd (Kerri Case), 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is survived by his sister Caroline Lloyd Carpenter. He was preceded in death by his and Ann’s identical twin daughters Janet and Jane who passed in infancy, his parents Mary Lakey and William Herman Lloyd and his brother Harold Lakey Lloyd. His reunion with them is undoubtedly joyous.

Rjay Lloyd lived a life that was big in accomplishment, rich in experience, and most importantly, deeply rooted in family and faith.

He was a successful attorney and tax professional, a businessman, trusted advisor, world traveler, storyteller with a quick wit, loyal friend, devoted husband, and a father and Papa whose magnetic personality and presence made his family feel safe, supported and incredibly proud to belong to him.

But if you asked Rjay what mattered most, the answer was never going to be a degree, a title, or some list of accomplishments. It was his family.

Rjay was born August 23, 1936, in Soda Springs, Idaho, where he was raised on a ranch. Those Idaho beginnings shaped much of the man he would become—hardworking, determined, practical, resourceful, and deeply connected to his roots. He graduated from high school in 1955, serving as senior class president.

Following high school, Rjay answered a call to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the East Central States Mission, serving throughout Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio from 1956 to 1958. His faith, formed in his Idaho upbringing and strengthened during those years of service, remained an important foundation throughout his life.

In 1959, he married Sara “Ann” Mickelson, a farm girl from nearby Lago, Idaho—despite the longstanding rivalry between their two high schools. They were married in the Logan Utah Temple. Together, Rjay and Ann built a marriage, a family, and a life that spanned more than 67 years.

Ann was beside him through school, the early years of building his career, raising their family, business ventures, moves, travel, retirement, and all the ordinary days in between that ultimately make up a life together.

Rjay attended Utah State University and Brigham Young University before transferring to the University of Utah, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and his Juris Doctor. He continued his education in taxation, including advanced study at New York University. Upon returning to Idaho, he held the unusual distinction of being the only person in the state at the time to simultaneously hold CPA, JD and LL.M distinctions. He often said that his one year of advanced tax education was worth ten years of practice.

His career began as a tax manager with Ernst & Ernst before he opened Rjay Lloyd Chartered in downtown Boise in 1970. Over the years, he became a trusted attorney, CPA, tax expert, counselor, and advisor to individuals and businesses throughout Idaho and beyond. His clients included some of Idaho’s most recognizable businesses and professional organizations, and his work eventually expanded to Arizona and internationally.

Among those relationships were Forever Living Products International and Forever Resorts, which opened an entirely new chapter in Rjay’s life and career. His work took him around the world and placed him in the middle of some memorable business adventures—including the acquisition of Southfork Ranch, made famous by the television series Dallas. Never one to miss the opportunity for a perfectly timed line, Rjay arrived and announced, “I’m Rjay, here to buy J.R.”

That was Rjay.

Behind the impressive credentials was a man who was funny, clever, determined, sometimes wonderfully stubborn, and always ready with a story. He appreciated good food, good conversation, a good joke, a great trip, and traditions that became sacred simply because his family kept doing them together.

For more than 30 years, Rjay and Ann made their home in Paradise Valley, Arizona, but Idaho never stopped being part of who he was. Soda Springs was where his story began, and those roots remained important throughout his life.

Rjay and Ann raised their four daughters in Boise and welcomed their nephew Brian into their home and family—not as an obligation, but simply as family. He loved his four sons-in-law and daughter-in-law who valued him as a loving father. That was characteristic of Rjay. When someone belonged to him, they belonged completely.

His generosity extended well beyond his immediate family, and much of it was quiet. He helped people without announcing it, solved problems without needing credit, opened doors, gave opportunities, and stepped in when he saw a need. Even now, his family continues to hear stories of things he did for others that they never knew about. Recognition was never the point. Helping was.

For his children, Rjay was the dad who made them believe things could be figured out. He was strong and capable, intelligent and resourceful. He could be counted on. His children grew up knowing their father would work hard, show up, find an answer, and do everything within his power to take care of the people he loved.

And then came the role he may have enjoyed most of all: Papa.

His family grew to include 15 grandchildren and a growing generation of great-grandchildren. They knew a different side of the accomplished professional others saw—the Papa with the humor, the stories, the teasing and tickling, the family trips, the traditions, and the unmistakable joy he found in having his family together.

Rjay loved creating experiences for his family. Some were extraordinary, including travels that took the family around the world. Others were wonderfully ordinary: meals around a table, Sunday traditions, family photographs, laughter, and favorite desserts. Over time, those seemingly small rituals became some of the family’s greatest treasures.

Rjay also believed in remembering where you came from. He was a lifetime member of the Idaho State Historical Society and contributed to the construction of the new Idaho State Museum in the 1980s, playing his own small but meaningful role in preserving the history of the state that had given him his beginning. His professional accomplishments earned him the respect of his peers, including recognition through Martindale-Hubbell, but his greatest legacy cannot be measured by professional honors.

It can be measured in people.

In the wife who stood beside him for 67 years.

In the children who knew what it felt like to have him as their dad.

In the grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will continue telling Papa stories.

In the friends, colleagues, and countless others whose lives were better because Rjay entered them.

And in the quiet acts of generosity that were never intended to be discovered.

Rjay lived 90 years, and he filled them well.

He built businesses, advised leaders, traveled the world, took chances, solved difficult problems, made people laugh, loved his family fiercely, and gave more than most people will ever know.

His family will miss his voice, his wit, his advice, his determination, his stories, his familiar place at the table, and simply knowing that Dad—or Papa—was there.

His faith taught him that family relationships do not end with death. The young man who left his Idaho home nearly 70 years ago to serve his Heavenly Father has now returned home to Him, welcomed by loved ones who went before him. For those he leaves behind, there is profound sadness in saying goodbye, but also gratitude for the promise that this separation is not forever.

After all the degrees, businesses, clients, accomplishments, travels, and adventures, perhaps the thing his family is proudest to say about Rjay Lloyd is remarkably simple:

He was mom’s husband. He was our dad. He was our Papa. He loved his family well, and we were incredibly blessed to be his.

Rjay is survived by his beloved wife, Ann; his four daughters and their families; his nephew/son Brian and his family; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and an extended circle of family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones whose lives became part of his own.

He returns now to the Idaho soil where his story began, leaving behind a family profoundly grateful for the 90 years with him—and a legacy that will continue every time they gather around a table, tell one of his stories, take the family picture, help someone in need, or enjoying his favorite cherry chocolate cake his way - - a generous slice dunked in a tall glass of cold milk.

A celebration of life we be held Saturday, September 5th at 11:00a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4225 N. 56th St., Phoenix, AZ 85018) and will be streamed at:

https://zoom.us/j/96943645688

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation in honor of Rjay Lloyd to www.ghanamakeadifference.org.

An organization whose mission is to care for the Ghanaian children by providing them with a place to call home.