Rodney Rabick Floyd

Rodney Rabick Floyd was born May 24, 1935, in Astoria, OR, to Roy and Libbie Floyd, but grew up in Vancouver, WA. From an early age, Rodney was fascinated with flying. Every day after completing his paper route he would head to Pearson Airpark where he would watch planes take off and land. Rodney graduated from Vancouver High School in 1953 and then earned his AA from Clark College. Still fascinated with aviation, Rodney joined the Navy in 1955 and became a pilot. He flew many missions in his career which included active combat areas. In 1962, he had to eject from his A4 300 miles east of Okinawa. With many decorations, he retired from the Navy in 1977 as a Lieutenant Commander.

Not to be grounded for long, he started his second career with Columbia Helicopters where he continued to fly the world. After retiring from Columbia, he continued his travels via car making everyday a new adventure; you never knew where his wheels would take him! Rodney had to give up his love for flying in retirement, but this didn’t stop him from his love of driving. He went on to drive supplies around the state of Oregon for Otis Spunkmeyer for many years, often bringing us back many loads of delicious cookies for which the company is well known for. Thinking he would retire for good, Rodney soon found himself wanting to drive a courtesy shuttle for a local Toyota dealership. His love for cars and going to car dealerships throughout his life just to tease care salesmen, that he actually wanted to buy a car, was well known in our family. Rodney would often even just sit in his car at home and listen to the radio, “never too far away from his next grand adventure!”

Rodney was preceded in death by his son, Edward. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Norma; sons, Rodney (Dawn) Floyd and Stephen (Karina) Floyd; granddaughter, Kailey Floyd; sister, Audrey Norling; and brother, Earl Floyd, several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Rodney loved the Lord and was a dedicated Gideon member. He modeled a man of prayer in the home and was someone whom you knew you could trust. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Gideons at PO Box 6202, Vancouver, WA 98668.