Charles Mack Floyd

Charles Mack Floyd, age 83, of Dallas, Texas, passed away June 6, 2020 at his home. He was born February 16, 1937 in Naples, Texas to Charles Olen Floyd and Gena Lucille McCollum Floyd. Life for Charles Mack Floyd started out in the deep piney woods of East Texas in the town of Naples, Texas.If you’ve ever heard that saying “Were you born in a barn?” after leaving a door open or such, Charles Mack could say yes as times were tough in 1937 when he was born.For the first part of his life he was called Mack after his Scotch Irish ancestors on his mother’s side.He went by Mack up until he started a new school in junior high where there was already a kid named Mack Brown so they started calling him Charles and family called him Charles Mack. His family eventually moved to the Park Dale area where he met his future bride.They lived five houses apart and he and his sister Caroline frequently played Monopoly with that cute little girl down the street named Barbara. Their courtship flourished and they eventually married on May 3, 1957.Love was always plentiful through the ups and downs of their marriage.True Love was brought to life when Charles and Barbara were together. If you see them sitting together, they are always touching by holding hands or laying a hand on each other’s thigh.Although he wasn’t much of a dancer, he would for Barbara.Their heads would touch and that is the way she knew to follow his lead.He led her through life with such care and always, True Love. In 1960 he joined the United States Army where he proudly served his country with tours of duty in Germany.He was discharged in June of 1962 but still served in the National Guard up until 1966.While in the service, Charles was trained as an aircraft mechanic and used that training to start his career in the aircraft fueling industry starting out at Allied Aviation.He spent the rest of his working career with the same company quickly moving up the ladder until he retired as the Station Manager at Love Field.He was instrumental in the startup of the fuel system at many airports across the United States including DFW International Airport.He took pride in his work and ran a tight ship. Shortly after discharge from the Army, Charles and Barbara welcomed their first born in June of 1963, Sheryl. They lived in a little house located in Dallas until they started the grand adventure of purchasing some land in a then small suburb of Kleberg and buying a house that was to be moved for $600.They carefully removed the brick from the house, cleaned it and reassembled it on their homestead that would last them the rest of their life.During the renovation, they discovered another bundle of joy was to make their family complete with the arrival of Sharla in May of 1970. Always working to make the life of his young family better, he and his brother-in-law, Bill, started their own business, Floyd and White Mowing Service.Working their regular jobs during the day and then getting off work and starting their second job mowing lots and acreage.They eventually got a contract with the railroad where their business expanded and a colorful crew of men were hired to work with them including his father, Olen Floyd and his yet to be determined future son-in-law, Jim. As a result of many years of hard work they eventually became self made millionaires.You would never know to look at him other than the fun he liked to have with frequent trips to Las Vegas or heading over to Louisiana Downs for a day of horse racing.He would call up Barbara and they would make an impromptu spur of the moment decision to hop a plane and fly to Vegas with just the clothes on their backs partying all night and would buy a toothbrush there to brush their teeth before hopping a plane back to Dallas. If you’ve ever met a man that worked harder than Charles Floyd, I would like to meet him as his work ethic was beyond approach.Even at the age of 83, he could work circles around men half or a quarter his age.He did anything and everything to support his family.The man was a natural born wheeler and dealer and would frequently buy a car, drive it a bit and then sell it for a profit to buy something better or whatever caught his fancy like the many boats, motorcycles and motor homes. As much as he loved to work, he also loved to party.Frequently, he and Barbara would meet up with his first cousins, Judy and Benny Hicks, and play Pinochle into the wee hours of the morning. And goodness, gracious the man loved to sling some bones.He was gifted in his playing ability where he could figure out what you had in your hand by your next play.Judy and Benny called him “Snake” because he was a sneaky snake.Barbara recalls the combination of Benny and Charles would cheat frequently until Benny was paired up with Barbara and he would want her to cheat but she didn’t know how or so she says. As a father, you could never ask for better. Both daughters will tell you the same.Whenever you needed him he was there.Growing up under his love and protection was extremely special to both Sharla and Sheryl.Sheryl was in the band and Sharla was in the drill team at Mesquite High School.Every Friday night, either of us could look up at the 50 yard line and see Mom and Dad always in support.That support wasn’t just for games but also extended throughout life.Sharla recently shared she was in one of the worst emotional situations of her life and looked up and saw her Daddy walking through the door to support her.She has no idea how he knew she needed him but he was there.He was always there.Always. Later in life that support continued on to his grandchildren when he switched his allegiance from Mesquite High School to Forney High School.Everyone knew Paps as he was affectionately called.There is a whole generation of kids that attended Forney schools that knew him as their grandfather and someone who always had their back.He was the one that drove the parade float during the Forney Homecoming Parades, attended every practice and every game and always had a dollar to buy a hot dog or cold drink.Frequently, he was approached at football or baseball games and he would tell them to get them a hot dog or nachos and bring him one too.That’s just the kind of man he was. Following in his father’s footsteps, Charles was a member of the Masonic Lodge.Although he was not active in the Lodge, he was active in life by helping others less fortunate.Everyone around his homestead knows if you need some help, you go see Mr. Charles or Mr. Mack as some refer to him.He would literally give you the shirt off his back or purchase something from them so they could feed their family regardless if he needed that something or not.I’ve seen him clean out his pantry to give food to a man down on his luck so he could feed his family.There was once an older lady selling candles so she could make her rent and buy some groceries. He purchased all her candles to help her meet that goal. He once took in a homeless man living under a nearby bridge, put a roof over his head, cleaned him up, put clothes on his back and gave him a second chance in life.Far and wide, many people have benefited from this kindness and generosity of Charles Mack Floyd. After retiring from Ogden Allied Aviation, Charles went into business for himself as Bushwacker Services where he still worked up until the day of his death.He was mowing on his tractor the very day he passed peacefully in his sleep.What a way to go. In recent years the family started making annual trips to Crystal Beach to attend Crab Fest.The first year everyone had a motor home or travel trailer and met up at the RV park at Crystal Beach. Later we rented houses where everyone could be together.He looked forward to going to Crab Fest and getting crab cakes or fresh crab claws while watching the music.One of his favorite activities was building a fire on the beach and staring into the flames while the waves crashed in surrounded by all the ones he loved the most.He always said “You can solve all the problems in the world staring into the flames of a camp fire.” At some point a few years ago, he and Barbara started attending the Wednesday Night Social Group consisting of Deb and Tony, Mike and Sharon, Mike and Terri, Caroline, Edwina, Barbara and Charles along with a few others but that was the main core group.He so looked forward to every Wednesday meeting up with his friends at various restaurants for food and fellowship.Those are the people that have come through for Miss Barbara, stopping by with food and hugs during this difficult time. I’m sure you’ll agree that these words sum up his life:“I’ve lived a life that’s full. I’ve traveled each and every highway. Oh, more, much more than this, I did it My Way.” He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara; children, Sheryl Floyd Cathey and husband Jim Cathey, Sharla Floyd Steadman and husband Todd Steadman; grandchildren Chace Cathey and fiance Jennifer Stephens, Laura Starbuck and husband Adam Starbuck, Heather Brown and fiance Kyle Kent; sisters Carolyn Floyd White and husband Bill White, Susan Freeland Lumley and husband John Lumley and many nieces and nephews and dear friends. A gathering of family and friends will take place Tuesday evening, June 9, 2020 at New Hope Funeral Home, outside under the Porte Cochere from 5 pm to 7 pm. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at New Hope Funeral Home, Sunnyvale, TX also outside under the Porte Cochere, with Jess Cathey officiating. Interment will follow at Grove Hill Cemetery in Dallas with presentation of the Flag by his close friends and fellow servicemen, Mike and Tony.Video presentation by Adam and Laura Starbuck. Pallbearers will be Chace Cathey, Eric Humphrey, Bretton Schulz, Jim Cathey, Adam Starbuck and John Lumley.