Floyd Massey

Funeral Services for Floyd L. Massey will be held on Friday, April 22, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Dale Lambert officiating. Interment will be held at the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege with military honors provided by the Martin Horn American Legion Post #66 and the U.S. Army National Guard Military Honors Team.

Floyd LeRoy "Ike" Massey, 83 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at the Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege. Floyd was born into the loving arms of his parents: Francis L. and Hazel M. (Baker) Massey, on July 9, 1927 in Harlan, Kansas. In the year 1927 the first image of Herbert Hoover was transmitted long distance over wire, which began the first successful demonstration of long distance television, the first transatlantic telephone call was made from New York to London and the Columbia Phonographic Broadcasting System (CBS) was formed and went on the air with 47 radio stations. In Harlan, Kansas Floyd joined his excited older brother Raymond in the Massey home. Floyd grew up during the Great Depression, where he was part of a generation who learned the value of hard work and survived tough times.

His family then ventured to Byron and Riverton, Nebraska and then to Republican City, Nebraska, where he attended the United Methodist Church, and later in his teen years was an assistant rural mailman and worked as a janitor in the high school where he graduated in 1945. During this time he witnessed the building of the Harlan County Dam when his father's business, the Massey Garage, had to be relocated along with the rest of the town to its current Republican City location. After graduation Floyd was inducted into the United States Army in Oct. 1945 and served in Korea at the close of WW II. He was honorably discharged Feb. 9, 1947 and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal. During his time overseas, he sent many packages home to his mother including a beautiful Kimono and many other souvenirs. Floyd, or Ike as he was known, then worked at his father's garage for several years.

He was married to LaVera Woodring Miles in 1953 and to this marriage two children were born, Michael Ray and Beckie Jo. Floyd worked as a harvester doing custom combining during that time.

Floyd was baptized at First United Methodist on January 8, 1960 and was united in marriage to Marietta "Sally" (Rawson) Garrison on September 18, 1960 at First United Methodist Church in Holdrege. Floyd and Sally adopted 3 young boys: Edward E., Franklin Craig, and Joel Keith; all preschoolers on December 2, 1966.

Floyd opened Holdrege Truck Equipment Co. in Holdrege in 1961 and continued the business at their farm 2 miles south of Holdrege for more than 46 years. Floyd and Sally spent many years in this community growing their business and their farm throughout seasons of plowing, planting and harvesting. They were avid supporters of the community and made many friends. Floyd and Sally were both born on a Saturday and if you recall the rhyme "Saturday's child works hard for a living"; they both worked very hard to cultivate a successful farm along with Holdrege Truck Equipment Company in the ensuing years.

Floyd was a lifetime member of the Veteran's of Foreign War (VFW), Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Master Mason of Masonic Lodge Jachin #146 - Knights Templar, Shrine Tehama Camel Herder, (St. John, King Cyrus and Occonoxee), York Rite, and Clowns. You could often find him on his golf cart dressed as a clown blowing up and handing out balloons and looking to help children that might need the service of the Shriners Hospital. Floyd joined the Order of Eastern Star, Concordia #97 in 1982 and served as Worthy Patron in 1986.

He came from a long line of Massey's and was the 10th generation in America beginning with John who arrived on the ship America in 1635. His grandfather's followed the frontier through Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Illinois, Kansas and Nebraska. His Great Grandfather, Eli was one of the earliest pioneers of Phillips County, Kansas where he homesteaded south of Republican City.

Preceding Floyd in death were his father and mother: Francis and Hazel Massey; his father and mother-in-law: Clifford B. and Elva (Hodge) Rawson; brothers: Howard Lee Massey, his brother and sister-in-law Raymond and Marquerite Massey, and his niece Brenda Koch.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 3:12
He leaves with fond memories and love his wife, Sally of Holdrege; five children: Michael Massey and his wife, Sheryl of Mandan, North Dakota, Beckie Jo Coleman and her husband, Robert of Mesa, Arizona, Edward Massey of Holdrege, Craig Massey and his wife, Terry, and Joel Massey all of Crooksville, Tennessee; his brother who was there for him through all his trials, Robert Massey and his wife, Wanda of Axtell, Nebraska; his sisters: Clara May Hunt of Minden, Nebraska and Donna Johnson of Hastings, Nebraska; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends in Holdrege and the surrounding area.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with Order of Eastern Star and Masonic Rites held at 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.