Stewart Floyd

Stewart Floyd Stewart Francis Floyd passed away on Friday, November 10, 2017 from a massive stroke. Stewart dealt with symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease and Congestive Heart Failure for several years prior. Stewart was born in Folsom, New Mexico on February 8, 1929 to Richard Thomas (Slim) Floyd and Mary Edith McClernon Floyd. He graduated from Estancia High School in 1946, received his Bachelor Degree in Vocational Agriculture from New Mexico A & M on June 3rd, 1950 and his commission into the US Army on the same day. He served in Korea and Japan receiving a purple heart award. He returned to NM A&M to complete his Master Degree in Meat Science and then transferred to Oregon State College in Corvallis, Oregon to pursue his Doctorate in Genetics. He met Mary Jane Hughes on campus ordering a Vanilla Milkshake from the Dairy Lab Bar. They were married December 18, 1956. Stewart was a life-long farmer and educator. He started farming in New Mexico at age 13. He continued on the Columbia Basin Reclamation Project property, homesteaded in 1963, until the age of 87. He taught Vo-Ag in Forest Grove, Oregon advocating for female students to participate in Vo-Ag classes and FFA competitions. He also taught students in Othello, Washington, North Powder, Oregon and finished his formal teaching career at Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, Oregon. He loved to share stories about his knowledgeable life experiences whether he was in a classroom, a dairy barn, a hay field or at the kitchen table. Stewart was proud to be an American and a Soldier. He participated in many high-powered rifle shooting matches qualifying for 6 National Competitions held at Camp Perry, Ohio. He retired from the US Army Reserves in 1978 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was a staunch supporter of “Made in the USA”. Stewart and Mary Jane were married almost 61 years. They shared a love of reading, travelling, and family. Although they raised only 3 children, many more young people were treated like family members and supported throughout life. Stewart is survived by his wife, Mary Jane; 3 children, Wayne (Patti) Floyd, Evan (Carolmarie) Floyd, Lovica (Mike) Johnson; 6 grandchildren, Jason, Anna, Reuben, Katie, Sydney, and Saydey; 12 great-grandchildren, Liam, Lindsey, Julia, Vance, Thomas, Blaec, Audrey, Victor, Cy, Ava, Brooklyn, Ellie; 3 brothers, Dick, Charlie, Gene; and numerous nieces, nephews, and distant cousins. His memorial service will be held at the Spirit of the Valley United Methodist Church (61 West 3rd St., Halsey, OR 97348) on Friday, December 29, 2017 at 11:00am. A Military Honor Guard burial service will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Murphy-Musgrove Funeral Home. Please sign the guestbook at www.musgroves.com.