Sherman
Phillip Floyd, 88, of Poteau,
OK passed away Friday, February
22, 2013 in Poteau. Sherman
was born March 9, 1924 in Tahona,
OK to King Philip & Bessie B.
(Morrison) Floyd. He was a veteran of
the US Army Air Corp with whom he served in WWII. He was a retired teacher. Sherman was a
member of the First
Baptist Church
in Poteau. He was preceded in death by
his parents, K.P. & Bessie; daughter, Toni Thompson; 2 sisters, Earlene
Sallis of OKC and Bea Blankenship of Spiro; brother, Ray Floyd. Sherman
started coaching in 1949 and was Poteau High School Principal from 1972-1986
when he retired.
Survivors
include his wife Linda F. Floyd of the home; sons, John Phillip Floyd & Robert
“Bob” Mitchell Floyd of Poteau,
OK; grandsons, Scott Thompson & Michael
Thompson of Edmond, OK;
son in law, Mick Thompson of Edmond, OK; brothers, K.P. Floyd of Gallatin, TN, Curt Floyd
of Dallas, TX;
adopted son, Phil McGehee of Poteau,
OK.
Services
will be 2 pm, Monday, February 25, 2013 at the Reynolds
Center, Poteau, OK
with Rev. Phil McGehee, Rev. Rex Blankenship, & Rev. Clayton Griggs
officiating. Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery,
Poteau, OK. Pallbearers will be his Nephews.
The
family will be at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon from 2-4 pm to visit
relatives & friends.
Sherman was my Drivers Education instructor. I will never forget how he would look when it was my time to drive. At that time I was only 4'11' He was a great teacher and coach.
ReplyDeleteLeighanna James Guillet
Sherman was the third child and I was the 6th so there was a wide gap in years between us but he was one of my heroes.
ReplyDeleteSherman was a part of an undefeated and highly rated Panama High school football team in 1941. He was awarded a football scholarship to Oklahoma A&M where he became the first Freshman to ever letter there in 1942. He joined the Army Air Corps following his first semester and served in the China, Burma, India theater of World War II. He was a flight engineer assigned to the 10th Air Force in India. He flew the “Hump” several times. The Hump was the name given by Allied pilots to the eastern end of the Himalayan Mountains (the tallest mountains in the world). They flew supplies from India to China to resupply the Chinese war effort of Chiang Kai-shek as well as the “Flying Tigers” commanded by General Chennault.
Flying over the Hump was extremely dangerous and made more difficult by a lack of reliable charts, an absence of radio navigation aids, and a no information about the weather.
After the war he came home and worked a short time at Camp Chaffee near Fort Smith. It was during this time that he met his bride, Linda Jones from Dardeneille, Arkansas who was a Nurse in Fort Smith.
Sherman was a part of what is called “The Greatest Generation” … those men and women who fought and preserved our freedom during World War II. I didn’t have to go far to find my heroes of the war … He (along with my other 2 brothers who served in the US Navy) were my heroes.
I want to say this to his beloved Poteau community:
He was a born leader as witnessed his outstanding record as a Head Football coach of Poteau High School. That record gave him many offers to move on to larger schools but he loved Poteau and the people of Poteau. And you loved him and honored him by naming the new field house the Sherman Floyd Fieldhouse.
And to his family I would like to make some personal remarks:
Linda: You were always the perfect wife and he loved and needed you by his side throughout his journey here. He was so proud of you and you knew exactly how to handle him. You were the first sister-in-law in the Floyd family and you set a perfect example the rest.
John and Bob – it seems we can’t say one without the other. He loved you both so very much and I know how much you will miss him.
Scott and Michael: I can only imagine what a glorious reunion that Sherman and Toni had Friday morning! Sherman mourned for years after Toni died at such a young age. He often said, “You’re not supposed to out-live your kids”. Well when you live to almost 89, you’ve out lived a whole lot of people. But now they are together again.
Sherman will be missed dearly but we can rest assured that one day we will all be re-united with him and all the other family members who have gone on before us.
Mr Floyd made an impact on so many young people. As a coach of the (arguably) BEST Pirate team ever he was likely a demanding coach, but it got the best of out of his boys. My memories of him are as principal (fair,firm and consistent)but had a big heart which a lot of us knew. Thoughts and prayers to his family - Mrs Floyd is a angel, who also had such a positive affect on so many children. (The BEST Kindergarten/First grade teacher EVER!) Bless you. (He and Toni are doing a lot of catching up right now)
ReplyDeleteNancy (Reidy) Howard
Linda,
ReplyDeleteOur prayers are with you and the boys with Coachs passing. He taught me a lot and was a good friend with my dad, Doug.
Bill Prout
Coach Floyd was an inspiration to so many young men. He made such an impact on so many guys like me. He taught us to compete, made us play hard, showed us what teamwork was all about and made men out of boys.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest condolences to Mrs. Floyd and John and Bob and the entire family. I am proud to be a part of knowing the family. Thanks for being a big part of my life.
John David
McLean, VA