Floyd Charles Ethridge passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of his 92nd birthday on March 6, 2013, in Corpus Christi, TX. Born in Taylorville, Illinois, on March 6, 1921, to Frieda and Joseph Ethridge, Floyd went on to serve his country with a distinguished career in the United States Air Force followed by a second career in college administration before moving to Corpus Christi with his wife Katherine to be near family.
Part of the "Greatest Generation," Floyd enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a navigator in the South Pacific during World War II. His rescue sea plane was the second to arrive after the tragic sinking of the USS Indianapolis in search of survivors, and later in life he was active in the 4th Emergency Rescue Squadron which met annually to honor the brave contributions of those who served. After the war, he re-enlisted and became an officer in the newly formed US Air Force where he served until retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 1967. While serving in the military, he earned his Bachelor's degree in psychology from Sacramento State College under the "Bootstrap" program and later pursued graduate work at Boston University.
Among his many tours included a stint as liaison to the Royal Air Force in England after the War, a participant in the Berlin Airlift, and he was one of the first 20 officers selected to open the newly created Air Force Academy. He went on to work in college administration with positions at Colorado College and Scripps College before becoming a consultant for non-profit organizations.
Floyd was very proud of his service in Rotary Club since 1968, having served as President of the Colorado Springs Club and having been named Rotarian of the Year. He later became a member of the Rotary Club wherever he lived including Claremont, CA, Salt Lake City, Austin, and Corpus Christi clubs. He was a Paul Harris Fellow at multiple clubs. He also served as a board member at various organizations in Colorado Springs including Goodwill Industries, Colorado Springs Opera Association, Pikes Peak Center, Senior League of the Pikes Peak Region and the Senior Resource Council. He and Katherine have been residents of Trinity Towers and members of First United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years Katherine and his five children, Susanne Cannon (Kirby) of Chicago, Jeanne Hunter (Randy) of Rockport, Tom Ethridge of Big Bear, CA, Pat Kinner (Don) of Corpus Christi, and Carla Warren (Randy) of Colorado Springs, and three brothers; David Ethridge (Joni) of LaPeer, MI, Gene Ethridge (Shirley) of Homer, IL, Richard Ethridge (Nancy) of Joliet, IL. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his siblings Frances Rexroad, Marcella Duncan, Joseph Ethridge, and Michael Ethridge.
Entombment at Seaside Memorial Park Reid Chapel Mausoleum with full military honors.
Part of the "Greatest Generation," Floyd enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a navigator in the South Pacific during World War II. His rescue sea plane was the second to arrive after the tragic sinking of the USS Indianapolis in search of survivors, and later in life he was active in the 4th Emergency Rescue Squadron which met annually to honor the brave contributions of those who served. After the war, he re-enlisted and became an officer in the newly formed US Air Force where he served until retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 1967. While serving in the military, he earned his Bachelor's degree in psychology from Sacramento State College under the "Bootstrap" program and later pursued graduate work at Boston University.
Among his many tours included a stint as liaison to the Royal Air Force in England after the War, a participant in the Berlin Airlift, and he was one of the first 20 officers selected to open the newly created Air Force Academy. He went on to work in college administration with positions at Colorado College and Scripps College before becoming a consultant for non-profit organizations.
Floyd was very proud of his service in Rotary Club since 1968, having served as President of the Colorado Springs Club and having been named Rotarian of the Year. He later became a member of the Rotary Club wherever he lived including Claremont, CA, Salt Lake City, Austin, and Corpus Christi clubs. He was a Paul Harris Fellow at multiple clubs. He also served as a board member at various organizations in Colorado Springs including Goodwill Industries, Colorado Springs Opera Association, Pikes Peak Center, Senior League of the Pikes Peak Region and the Senior Resource Council. He and Katherine have been residents of Trinity Towers and members of First United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years Katherine and his five children, Susanne Cannon (Kirby) of Chicago, Jeanne Hunter (Randy) of Rockport, Tom Ethridge of Big Bear, CA, Pat Kinner (Don) of Corpus Christi, and Carla Warren (Randy) of Colorado Springs, and three brothers; David Ethridge (Joni) of LaPeer, MI, Gene Ethridge (Shirley) of Homer, IL, Richard Ethridge (Nancy) of Joliet, IL. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his siblings Frances Rexroad, Marcella Duncan, Joseph Ethridge, and Michael Ethridge.
Entombment at Seaside Memorial Park Reid Chapel Mausoleum with full military honors.
Floyd Charles Ethridge passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of his 92nd birthday on March 6, 2013, in Corpus Christi, TX. Born in Taylorville, Illinois, on March 6, 1921, to Frieda and Joseph Ethridge, Floyd went on to serve his country with a distinguished career in the United States Air Force followed by a second career in college administration before moving to Corpus Christi with his wife Katherine to be near family.
Part of the "Greatest Generation," Floyd enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a navigator in the South Pacific during World War II. His rescue sea plane was the second to arrive after the tragic sinking of the USS Indianapolis in search of survivors, and later in life he was active in the 4th Emergency Rescue Squadron which met annually to honor the brave contributions of those who served. After the war, he re-enlisted and became an officer in the newly formed US Air Force where he served until retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 1967. While serving in the military, he earned his Bachelor's degree in psychology from Sacramento State College under the "Bootstrap" program and later pursued graduate work at Boston University.
Among his many tours included a stint as liaison to the Royal Air Force in England after the War, a participant in the Berlin Airlift, and he was one of the first 20 officers selected to open the newly created Air Force Academy. He went on to work in college administration with positions at Colorado College and Scripps College before becoming a consultant for non-profit organizations.
Floyd was very proud of his service in Rotary Club since 1968, having served as President of the Colorado Springs Club and having been named Rotarian of the Year. He later became a member of the Rotary Club wherever he lived including Claremont, CA, Salt Lake City, Austin, and Corpus Christi clubs. He was a Paul Harris Fellow at multiple clubs. He also served as a board member at various organizations in Colorado Springs including Goodwill Industries, Colorado Springs Opera Association, Pikes Peak Center, Senior League of the Pikes Peak Region and the Senior Resource Council. He and Katherine have been residents of Trinity Towers and members of First United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years Katherine and his five children, Susanne Cannon (Kirby) of Chicago, Jeanne Hunter (Randy) of Rockport, Tom Ethridge of Big Bear, CA, Pat Kinner (Don) of Corpus Christi, and Carla Warren (Randy) of Colorado Springs, and three brothers; David Ethridge (Joni) of LaPeer, MI, Gene Ethridge (Shirley) of Homer, IL, Richard Ethridge (Nancy) of Joliet, IL. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his siblings Frances Rexroad, Marcella Duncan, Joseph Ethridge, and Michael Ethridge.
Entombment at Seaside Memorial Park Reid Chapel Mausoleum with full military honors.
Part of the "Greatest Generation," Floyd enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a navigator in the South Pacific during World War II. His rescue sea plane was the second to arrive after the tragic sinking of the USS Indianapolis in search of survivors, and later in life he was active in the 4th Emergency Rescue Squadron which met annually to honor the brave contributions of those who served. After the war, he re-enlisted and became an officer in the newly formed US Air Force where he served until retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 1967. While serving in the military, he earned his Bachelor's degree in psychology from Sacramento State College under the "Bootstrap" program and later pursued graduate work at Boston University.
Among his many tours included a stint as liaison to the Royal Air Force in England after the War, a participant in the Berlin Airlift, and he was one of the first 20 officers selected to open the newly created Air Force Academy. He went on to work in college administration with positions at Colorado College and Scripps College before becoming a consultant for non-profit organizations.
Floyd was very proud of his service in Rotary Club since 1968, having served as President of the Colorado Springs Club and having been named Rotarian of the Year. He later became a member of the Rotary Club wherever he lived including Claremont, CA, Salt Lake City, Austin, and Corpus Christi clubs. He was a Paul Harris Fellow at multiple clubs. He also served as a board member at various organizations in Colorado Springs including Goodwill Industries, Colorado Springs Opera Association, Pikes Peak Center, Senior League of the Pikes Peak Region and the Senior Resource Council. He and Katherine have been residents of Trinity Towers and members of First United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years Katherine and his five children, Susanne Cannon (Kirby) of Chicago, Jeanne Hunter (Randy) of Rockport, Tom Ethridge of Big Bear, CA, Pat Kinner (Don) of Corpus Christi, and Carla Warren (Randy) of Colorado Springs, and three brothers; David Ethridge (Joni) of LaPeer, MI, Gene Ethridge (Shirley) of Homer, IL, Richard Ethridge (Nancy) of Joliet, IL. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his siblings Frances Rexroad, Marcella Duncan, Joseph Ethridge, and Michael Ethridge.
Entombment at Seaside Memorial Park Reid Chapel Mausoleum with full military honors.
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