John S. Floyd's Obituary
John S. Floyd, Jr., 92, passed away April 10, 2013 at Baptist Memorial Hospital of natural causes. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce W. Floyd. He is survived by his loving daughter Kathy Morgan and her husband Bob of Cordova; grandchildren Jennifer Morgan of Nashville and Jonathan Morgan of Cordova, He is also survived by brother Aubrey of Longtown, Mississippi, sister Ruby Currid of Cordova, and several nephews, nieces and cousins. John was born on October 2, 1920 in Sarah Mississippi. He attended Crenshaw High School where he played sports and enjoyed reading and working on the family farm. After graduation, John became a CC camp tour director in Natchez Trace in Mississippi. He then enlisted in the Army at Fort Benning Georgia in 1940. After being deployed to Europe in 1944, he served as a tank commander in the 6th Armored Division under General George S. Patton. John participated in the Normandy campaign, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns as well as the Ardennes campaign, during this time; he fought in four major battles, including the Ardennes, also known as the Battle of the Bulge. John received 6 medals in all, including the Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the World War II Germany Occupation Medal. After being discharged in September 1945, he met the love of his life, Joyce Willoughby. After a short 4 month courtship, they were married on June 9, 1946 and enjoyed a loving 60 years of marriage. He started work at the Ford Assembly plant on Parkway in Memphis. Soon, he was promoted to the parts and service division, where he advanced to become a Customer Relations Manager for the Lincoln Mercury division. After moving from downtown to White Station area in 1950’s, their daughter, Kathy Jean was born in 1958. They enjoyed raising her and being long time members of Grimes Memorial United Methodist Church. It is difficult to take the country out of the boy, so John purchased his uncle’s farm which had been in the family for generations. He became a weekend farmer where he enjoyed raising cattle, building fences and baling hay for many years. After his retirement in 1983, he continued to enjoy raising cattle and growing his garden in Tate County Mississippi. The role he most loved was being a great “PawPaw” to his grandchildren Jennifer and Jonathan. They spent many afternoons riding bikes, playing jump rope and going to the library together. Visitation will be held on Monday April 15 from 1:30 to 2:30 at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Poplar, with the funeral service to follow. Memorial Park Funeal Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”.
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