Eulogy for Kenneth K. Floyd Sr. We are here today to celebrate the extraordinary life of Ken Floyd our father, grand father, great-grand father, brother, uncle and friend. Dad would be so pleased looking out into the church today and seeing his whole family gathered together because his greatest joy in life was his family. -Several years ago Tom Brokaw, former NBC news anchor, wrote a book called “The Greatest Generation”. The book chronicled the lives of ordinary men and how they rose to respond to the extraordinary times during World War II. After the war these men returned to civilian life to start their families, jobs, businesses and professions and they collectively built this country into the great nation it is today. We can proudly say our Dad was a member of the “greatest generation”. If you have not had the chance to read Dad’s obituary we urge you to do so. Many people have told me after reading it that they never realized many of the things Dad has done in his life. I think that is a commentary on what a quiet modest man he really was. -Dad was a humble but accomplished man. Navy pilot, honor student, semi professional football player and skilled attorney, but if you ever asked him what was he was most proud of in his life he would tell you it was his family. Dad led a busy professional life working long hours commuting into New York City for most of his working life. When he got home in the evening he usually had to read legal briefs to prepare for the next day’s court proceedings but Dad always found the time to spend with us after dinner to help with homework or to hear about our day in school or to help us resolve some little problem in our lives at that time. He was the most calm, gentle and even tempered man we have known. We can honestly say we never saw him lose his temper and we can assure you we gave him numerous opportunities in our teen age and early college years to do so. -His quiet strength of character, belief in God and love for his family was most evident when our mother Virginia, the love of his life, was dying from a protracted battle with cancer. Mom was a registered nurse in her younger days but ironically disliked hospitals. One might even say mom hated hospitals. Mom’s only wish was to remain home in those final months of her life. My father single handedly provided Mom’s hospice care in their home in Jericho for her last months. Dad’s strength, resolve, love and compassion during that time was amazing. He quietly soldiered on making Mom as comfortable as possible. Her care took a toll on Dad physically since it was a 24 hour commitment. The man never complained or questioned why this was happening but accepted it as part of God’s plan for them. We know it comforts all of us to know Dad is finally reunited with Mom and our younger brother Bill in Heaven. Our vision of their life in Heaven now is of endless sunny days sitting by a lake together, much like the lakes we vacationed on in southern Maine as children, having a cocktail looking down on the family and smiling with pleasure. We are sure Dad will also fit in a few rounds of golf with his older brother Ray who passed away just last month. We know they both will be happy since you can only make “birdies” on Heaven’s golf courses. -Dad’s life as a husband, father, grand father and great-grandfather is a fine example for anyone to follow and he has served as a role model for us over the years. We miss him dearly but he will never be forgotten. We would like to close this eulogy with two poems we found that we thought would be comforting to all who are here today. It gives us great comfort when we read them and think about Dad. The first poem is entitled “High Flight” by John Gillespie Magee Jr. an American who during World War II, crossed the border into Canada to enlist and fight as a fighter pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force against the Nazis’ during the air war over Great Britain. At that time America had not officially entered the war. The poem was composed in England shortly before his death in combat. When we read it we think of the pictures of Dad in his leather Navy flight jacket. Dad like anyone who served in the Navy or Marine Air Corps or the Air Force knows this poem well. High Flight Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . . Up, up the long, delirious burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or ever eagle flew — And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. This last poem is by an unknown author. Ken Jr. discovered it months ago and it moved him deeply when he read it . It is a thought we would like to leave with everyone here today who is celebrating Dad’s life. I Am Always With You (Author Unknown) When I am gone, release me, let me go. I have so many things to see and do, You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears, But be thankful we had so many good years. I gave you my love, and you can only guess How much you've given me in happiness. I thank you for the love that you have shown, But now it is time I traveled on alone. So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must Then let your grief be comforted by trust That it is only for a while that we must part, So treasure the memories within your heart. I won't be far away for life goes on. And if you need me, call and I will come. Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear All my love around you soft and clear And then, when you come this way alone, I'll greet you with a smile and a "Welcome Home".