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Enjoy your family this Christmas-you just never know. . . . . . . .

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana

 

 

It was exactly three months ago today that we laid my father-in-law to rest, less than 250 yards from his lifetime home that he built with his own two hands.

He was buried less than 50 feet from the utility pole that started the chain of events that led to his death this past September.

The replacement telephone pole stands like a lonely sentinel guarding his grave from the next reckless driver to run off the road.

Thorntown is a tiny town between Lafayette and Indianapolis and yet almost 1,000 people turned out to pay their respects to Sharon and her family on her dad's passing. 

People waited in line for up to two hours on a very hot September day to pay their respects to Floyd.  It was the longest day of Sharon's life as she greeted well wishers from 1:30 pm till past 9:30 pm when the tail of the line finally came to an end.

Why so many people?  Floyd was a generous individual who always made time for everyone.

 

When he was president of the town board he paid for an entire set of American flags to line Main Street right after 9/11.  He installed the flags at his own cost as well.

He hated to see those  American flags rolled up because of the wind so he would always take  time out of his busy day to make sure all the flags on Main Street were flying freely!

Although Floyd had to be firm with tenants who were taking advantage of him I heard several stories from his tenants who said how he helped them and gave them a break in some way.  He was like that!

Floyd donated over six acres of land to construct the new town and township fire station.  It is nearing completion right across from the elementary school-the town's most precious asset!

When a local boy died in the line of duty in service to his country in Iraq, Floyd and others made sure that his family had the means to select a beautiful grave marker to honor their son's sacrifice. That family now  has a lasting memorial of their son's life here on earth-thanks to the generosity of Floyd and other caring families in Thorntown.

Floyd lived the American dream.  He dropped out of high school and worked the night shift at Alcoa Aluminum for 22 years.  This is the greatest nation on earth for ANYONE with ambition to work 16 hours per day, have a vision of derived demand, and outwork and outsmart your competition.  The sky is the limit what a person can do!

While working those 22 years at Alcoa on the night shift(11pm till 7 am) Floyd earned his high school diploma, went to barber school during the day, bought his own barber shop in the heart of West Lafayette's Village, cutting hair a stone's throw from Purdue University and 30,000 plus students.

While cutting the hair of Purdue University trustees and vice-presidents, successful businessmen, and even the chairman of the board of a Fortune 500 company, Floyd listened to what made them successful and applied it to his business model!  He ended up buying houses in the Purdue Village area and he eventually ended up with over 140 apartments/houses in the most valuable real estate market between Chicago and Indianapolis.  He leveraged his assets at just the right time to later benefit from stagflation and Purdue's insatiable demand to keep expanding, like the advance waters of a growing flood.

With all his success in the business world he never lost sight of what was important:  his Faith, family, and community. 

 

   

As I visit Floyd's grave there is a bitter irony as I look at that new utility pole less than 50 feet from his final resting place.  It is a stark reminder of what would begin the chain of events that led to his death.

Floyd heard a terrible noise at 5 A.M. on September 16th that cut off power to his home and he walked the 200 yards to provide help for the accident victim who had gone off the road and crashed into the utility pole.  We later learned that the car was stolen and the cowardly thief fled the scene of the accident. 

Upon walking back after helping at the scene of the accident, Floyd collapsed and fell backward hitting the back of his head on the pavement.  He sustained  massive trauma to the brain,  and  he died three days later never recovering from his coma.

We are comforted by the fact that Floyd had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; he loved the Lord and served Him!  For me, that is what Christmas is all about.  God gave His only Son so that we might have eternal life.  I thank God that I had such a loving father-in-law!  Floyd we love you and miss you!

This Christmas is going to be different.  It is a challenge for me to be a better husband and father, and to appreciate my loved ones all the more, for we just never know . . . . . . . . . . .  

 

 

 

                                         

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Comments (38)

Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, ePRO, GRI
Keller Williams Indianapolis Metro NE - Carmel, IN
Carmel, Fishers, Westfield IN Real Estate Expert

Bruce--What a story!  You must feel honored to have married into the family of such a wonderful man.  I got a lump in my throat reading this.  He truly epitomizes the American dream.  His acts of kindness can be an example to us all.  Thanks for taking the time on Christmas Day to write such a wonderful tribute to Floyd. 

On a side note, my son is in the doctoral program at Purdue.  While reading your story, it felt almost like I was there!

Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year Bruce!!  2011

Dec 29, 2010 02:30 AM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Bruce, Wow, Floyd sounds like he was a phenomenal human being in every way.  He helped people all through his life, and he gave his life in trying to help someone in need, yet again.  You were so blessed to have him in your lives.  This was a wonderful heartfelt tribute to a beautiful person during this Christmas season.  If there were only more Floyd's in the world!  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as I know that you all miss him dearly.  We can all learn so much from people like Floyd.

Dec 29, 2010 10:12 AM
Cindy Marchant
Keller Williams Indy NE 317-290-7775 www.marchantteam.com - Carmel, IN
"Cindy in Indy" , Realtor, Fishers Real Estate

Hi Bruce and Sharon...what a moving story about Floyd.  He sounds like such a great man to have had the honor to know.  Being comforted that he knows Jesus is truly inspirational...it is what sustains me on most days. 

All the best for a new year and may you still hear his laughter, feel his spirit and enjoy the memories of what he was to all of you.

Cindy in Indy

 

Dec 30, 2010 12:43 PM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Thank you all for your kind and generous comments about Floyd.  There were so many things I could have added but I know your time is very precious.  Thank you all again, and I hope you all had an extra special time with your loved ones this Christmas.

Dec 31, 2010 12:39 PM
Marilyn Harrell
Better Homes and Acres - Beaverton, MI
Wixom Lake - Beaverton MI

So sorry for your loss - may we all share his commitment to faith family and community.

Jan 02, 2011 11:00 PM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Marilyn, thank you for your kind words, and taking the time to read about Floyd's love for his faith, family, and community.

Jan 03, 2011 01:39 AM
Bob & Leilani Souza
Souza Realty 916.408.5500 - Roseville, CA
Greater Sacramento Area Homes, Land & Investments

Bruce, thank you for sharing such a beautiful story/tribute to your father-in-law, Floyd. When I think of people and the American Dream, it occurred to me that not only did Floyd reach it...he surpassed it with his multitude of successes, one after another and in many ways (business, charity, family, religion). My sympathy goes out to you and Sharon and your family for such a loss.

Leilani

Jan 07, 2011 07:45 AM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Leilani, we appreciate your very heartfelt and kind words concerning Floyd.  This type of post isn't easy for people to leave comments on so your generous thoughts are appreciated!

Jan 07, 2011 03:33 PM
Maya Thomas, Broker
Tampa, FL
Please see my client recommendations.

As the tears go down my cheeks my heart goes out to you, Sharon and your whole family for the joy, the love, the admiration, the honor, the humility, the generosity, the kindness, the compassion, the hard work and inspiration that Floyd brought to the world.  Floyd was a good man. 

Jan 17, 2011 02:43 PM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Maya, thank you for those genuine and heartfelt thoughts!  I do hope your mother is well and that you have many more years with her!  Thanks for the visit!

Jan 17, 2011 06:20 PM
Gwen Banta
Sotheby's International Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Bruce, this is beautiful beyond words. Your description of Floyd gives such love, dignity and honor to his memory. They say women select men like their dads when they marry, and I can see that Sharon did exactly that when choosing you. Your light, like Floyd's, shines on everyone who comes in contact with you. And for that, I pay homage to you.

Jan 26, 2012 07:06 PM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Gwen, thanks for your very kind words! 

Just a couple of weeks before your comment, Janelle was down in Florida and spent a day at Disney World over Christmas break eating at a restaurant.  The waitress happened to have a brother who lived in Thorntown who lived in one of Floyd's apartments, and she said that the town had suffered a big loss when a very generous man who owned a lot of apartments had died over a year ago.

SHE HAD NO IDEA SHE WAS TALKING TO ONE OF FLOYD'S GRANDCHILDREN!!!! 

It is INDEED,  a SMALL WORLD, AFTERALL!!!!!!!!!

Feb 08, 2012 08:01 AM
Shanna Hall
Real Estate Solutions - Kirkwood, MO
I love selling houses!!!St. Louis, MO 314-703-1311

Bruce- you brought me to tears- It sounds like Floyd was a beautiful person and many will remember him- you were lucky to be in his inner inner circle- I say "inner inner" because it sounds like he took care of everybody like they were in his "inner" circle.

Jan 12, 2014 10:34 PM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Shanna, you are so right with your assessment. Things are getting tougher now,  as Sharon's mom is battling dementia.  We are spending as much time as we possibly can with her.

Jan 14, 2014 07:43 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Bruce, live life for today and don't forget to say you love those around you, you never know when they won't be with us.

Mar 17, 2014 12:57 AM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Joan, thanks for your visit, and your words are so true!!!

Mar 17, 2014 11:10 AM
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

What a wonderful tribute to Floyd, Bruce.  I hope you know that you touched so many people with this post.  God give Floyd peace.  We know that he will.  Bless you, too!

Jan 10, 2015 12:36 AM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Ron, thanks for your visit and very kind comment!  This is why I write on my blog here at AR-just to pass some digital history on to my girls.

Jan 15, 2015 12:09 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Bruce,  Oh my gosh ... such a tragic loss.  Floyd was a legend in the town. No wonder so many people showed their respect to the family.

I agree with Gwen's comment. I could not have said it any better than myself.  The world needs more truly good and honest people like Floyd and you.   We just cannot make any sense out of why that all happened. 

I trust they never found the cowardly thief that fled the scene that started the events that led to Floyd's death.

Oct 20, 2015 08:34 AM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Kathleen Daniels thank you for your very thoughtful  and kind words!  They are deeply appreciated!

That is a long story about the thief and many knowing who it was, but he has to carry that burden in his life till the day he dies.

I'm so sorry I missed your comment!

Apr 08, 2019 04:15 PM