Rex E. Floyd

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church of Norman for Rex E. Floyd, a longtime Oklahoma businessman, entrepreneur, civic leader and most importantly, loving family man who passed away Friday, June 9, 2017 in Norman, OK.

Floyd, 81, was the founder of Floyd’s Recreational Vehicles in Goldsby. He began selling campers in 1969 in Pauls Valley, then from a small rented lot on North Porter across from Norman Regional Hospital. The company soon outgrew that space and built on Interstate 35 in Goldsby, OK, where it remains today. 

Floyd was active in the national RV industry and was named to the Hall of Fame of Recreational Vehicle Dealers. He was also active in the state’s tourism industry. He served 12 years on the RVDA National Board including three as an officer during the downturn of the early 80s. He was awarded the “Jim Summers Award” by the RVDA and RV dealers throughout the United States for contributing the most to the RV industry. Floyd was the first active dealer to receive the recognition.  

Floyd was commonly referred to as a pioneer in the RV industry. He was a leader in the early days of organizing a national market expansion program which became today’s  Go RVing effort.  During his tenure as president of Central RVDA, the chapter received the National Chapter of the Year Award.  He served the national association as director, vice president, president and chairman. He has also on several committees such as the legislative, educational and insurance trust. Additional positions included chairman of the Recreation Vehicle Assistance Corp, the board of RVDA Education Foundation and MEP Committee to help other dealers with strong consumer care programs.

Floyd was specially recognized for his effort as co-coordinator of Central OK RV dealers to raise thousands of dollars for underprivileged children in cooperation with the Christmas Connection and Channel 9. 

Before following his passion of camping and RV travel he worked for 13 years as an engineer on the Apollo, Titan and Gemini rockets and in the early planning of the NASA Space Shuttle program. As a teenager, he worked with his father and brothers on a broom corn cutter crew where they were raised on Wild Horse Creek in Garvin County. He was president of his 4-H Club and graduated from Wayne High School in 1954.

The Floyd family was the first family honored as a Distinguished Family in 2008 by East Central University in Ada. Rex attended ECU, Central State University in Edmond and the University of Oklahoma. Rex’s parents, his brothers and over 50 family members graduated from East Central University.

Floyd was a longtime supporter of Feed the Children, Christmas Connection, the Habitat House, Katrina Relief, Matamoros Children’s Home in Mexico and many local and national charitable causes. He enjoyed hunting, jeep riding in Colorado, horse riding, snow skiing, beekeeper, photography, and farming. He served on multiple committees and was a deacon of the First Baptist Church. His biggest joy and number one priority was being married to the love of his life, Helen and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His giving heart and love for the Lord were the inspiration for his life.

He was born June 4, 1936 in Bakersfield, Mo., to Webster Clay Floyd and Hettie Rose (Dale) Floyd. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Helen (Jones) Floyd, of Norman; daughters Debbie Spearing of Norman, and Carol Behrens and Doug of San Antonio, Tx; three sons, Michael Floyd of Colorado, Kenneth Floyd and Valerie of Yukon and Robert Floyd and Tina of Newcastle; a sister, Carolyn Walker and Wayne of Hot Springs, AR., two brothers, Glenn Floyd and Judy of Norman and Dr. Koy Floyd and Kay of Norman;  a sister-in-law, Juanita Ratliff of Norman; 15 grandchildren: Jeremy Spearing, Allen Spearing and Krystle, Stormi Wester and Jeremy, Nathan Behrens, Rachel Behrens, Trent Stout, Cale Stout, Ashlee Floyd, Bryce Floyd, Jeffrey Shaw, Madison Floyd, Megan Floyd and Allyson Shaw; six great-grandchildren: Emma, Kolbie, Hetti Rose (Bean), Boone, Noah and Lucas. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and a twin brother, Ray Floyd.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 14 at Tribute Memorial Care, 708 24th Avenue NW in Norman. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Services celebrating his life will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 15, at the First Baptist Church, 211 W. Comanche in Norman with burial to follow in the IOOF Cemetery, 1913 N. Porter Avenue.

Memorial contributions may be made to the RVDA or First Baptist Church of Norman.