David Douglas "Dopey" Floyd, Sr.

David Douglas Floyd, Sr. (Dopey to his friends) began his last great adventure on Monday, October 26, 2015. He was born July 4, 1938 to the late Alton Adolph and Annie Lee Miller Floyd of Sardis Mississippi, where he was a life-long resident. A Graveside service for Mr. Floyd will be held Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery in Sardis, MS. The family will hold a memorial gathering at Mr. Floyd's home at a later date. In spite of numerous accidents and hunting encounters, he survived to attend and graduate from Sardis High School in 1956. During his early years, he became an Assistant Scout Master in the 50s and an Explorer Scout Leader from 1951 through 1955. Following graduation he signed up for the National Guard in 1956. Furthering his education, he attended Northwest Community College from 1956 thru 1959, at which time he and the administration mutually agreed his time and their teaching resources had better goals than to continue their relationship. He married Virginia Mosely on August 24, 1959 and they had three children, David Douglas Floyd, Jr.(Lynn), Natalie Cook, and Lee Ann Dantone (Vince). He was blessed with four grandchildren and one great grandchild. Throughout his entire life he set and exceeded self -improvement goals. His hobbies included a deep and abiding love of all things in nature, flying and building airplanes, hunting, fly fishing and being home with his beloved cats! Memorable achievements throughout his career include a stint as lifeguard at the Sardis Beach from 1954 until 1960. He was a rodeo contestant riding bulls from 1955 – 1960. His first job was at Nicky Brothers Lumber Company in Memphis as a lumber inspector in 1959 until 1961. He then went to work at D.B. Floyd Lumber Company from 1961 as a lumber inspector. In 1965 he moved into sales where he remained until 1970. During this time he joined the prestigious Lumber Man’s Club in 1967 and was voted by the members into the Board of Directors in 1968. He was a member of the Sardis Lion’s Club from 1959 until 1968, and was named in the National Registers of Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals in the 2004-2005 edition. He became a commissioned officer in the MS Army National Guard on August 21, 1963 and took command of the Sardis unit in 1964 as Company Commander. He served until 1970 as a Captain. He transferred into the US Army Special Forces in 1972 and completed Airborne School as the oldest member of the class, graduating at the age of 35. He received his Airborne rating at Fort Benning, GA. He ultimately served in the National Guard and Reserve and retired at 32 years. Simultaneously, he started Tai Kwando instructions at the Kang Rhea studio in Memphis in 1968. He became a US Tai Kwando National Champion in 1971 and an instructor in the sport, for Master Kang Rhea and taught four nights a week at the Senatobia dojo. He became certified in scuba diving in 1971 and made numerous trips to Heber Springs and the Grand Cayman Islands from then until 1992. Moving forward in his professional life he began working at Paul Watts, Inc. as Sales Manager of the Southern District in 1974. He then organized and opened Wood Services, Inc. operating his business out of Memphis. He earned his private pilot’s license in 1970. Afterwards, he went to St. Louis and achieved Instructor Rating with U.S. Parachute Association. He was appointed Area Safety Officer with the US Parachutes Association., and he then started the Sport Parachute Club as the instructor in Panola County in 1976. In 2001 he became a member of the Panola County Airport Board. He served as president of the board from 2009 thru 2012. He closed his business, Wood Services in 1999 and was recruited by Sierra Pine. He retired from Sierra Pine in 2008 and began a much deserved break from the business world.