Lloyd Shoppa, 86, president of Bell Helicopter Textron from 1995-1997, passed away on Feb. 11, 2019. Shoppa spent 34 years with Bell, beginning in 1964 when he joined the company as a systems engineer. He retired from Bell in 1997.
Lloyd Shoppa is father to Jim Shoppa, owner of Shoppa’s Material Handling in Ft. Worth and Chris Shoppa, owner of Shoppa’s Farm Supply. At Shoppa’s Material Handling, Lloyd Shoppa became Chairman in 1992 and was well-known throughout the corporate offices where he shared his experience and knowledge of management. He was instrumental in spearheading the renovation and rebranding of Shoppa’s Material Handling Saginaw location. He also became Chairman and Director of Shoppa’s Farm Supply in 1985.
Shoppa attended and graduated from Wharton County Junior College and the University of Texas at Austin. He was a member of the Sigma Iota Epsilon National Honorary and Professional Management Fraternity and president of Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity. Following college, Shoppa worked at Texaco until accepting the position at Bell.
In 1997, Shoppa was inducted into the National Management Association Hall of Fame in recognition of significant personal and professional contributions to the development of management and leadership.
He belonged to many civic, community and other organizations, including:
• East Bernard Community Development Board since 2002
• Director of Capital Farm Credit since 2010
• President of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce
• President of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford School Board
He is survived by his wife Betty; their children, Jim, Chris, Gail and Debra; 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; his sister Shirley Swinford; and many loving nephews and nieces.
Visitation is slated for Thursday, February 14 from 6-8 p.m. at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, 5725 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX 76034 with church service scheduled for Friday, February 15 at 10 a.m. at Cross City Church First Euless, 1000 Airport Freeway, Euless, TX 76039. Funeral services will take place Saturday, February 16, at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 507 N. Fulton St., Wharton, TX 77488 with interment immediately following at Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery, 3511 E Alabama Rd, Wharton, TX 77488
