Floyd Leroy Smith
Born on June 30, 1949 in Medford, OregonPassed June 1 2025, in Melbourne, Florida
My larger than life hero and cowboy joined heaven today. Floyd Smith, born into a ranching family in
Chiloquin to parents, Pork and Juanita (Giles) Smith, and sisters: Sharon and Judy Smith. Later several children would join their loving family: Nancy Smith, Jess Smith, and Debbie Smith. Pork taught Floyd the “Cowboy Code of the West” and he lived by it: Family comes first, Do what is right, Be Brave and Courageous, work hard, be tough but fair, finish what you start, talk more and say less, stand up and be counted. Floyd lived the code in every breath; he walked the walk and talked the talk. He was shot down twice while he served in Vietnam with the Naval Air, nicknamed “Chopper Man.” During the four years of service, he was awarded multiple medals including two (2) purple hearts given an honorable discharge in 1973.
In typical Floyd fashion, the funnier he acted the happier he was. He uplifted others wherever he went. A great guy, Floyd left you smiling or laughing depending on his antics. Floyd went for pizza and charmed the socks off of me so much, we married a couple years later in Butte Falls Oregon on June 10, 1978. We moved to Napa CA and our daughter Heather Smith joined our family in 1981. Later to be followed by our son Brandon Smith in 1984 in Ashland OR. We moved to Little Hollywood Florida in 1986 to be near family. Nothing mattered so much to Floyd than spending time as a family, especially fishing with his son or daughter. We had a daycare in our home and he loved the kids so much, they named him “Mr. Pickles.” When Floyd found out someone needed a place to stay, we opened our home to them. It might be a week or a year; we were happy to provide a safe place to stay. Floyd was simply the best friend you could count on. Always available to renovate your home or fix your AC, he was always there to lend a strong hand.
My cowboy and hero went home today. My sweetheart will be missed by so many: husband, father, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, nephews and nieces, and many friends.
In accordance to his wishes, Floyd’s ashes will be scattered in the Indian River he loved in a private ceremony on June 28.
In lieu of flowers, please make your donations in Floyd’s memory to the @Brevard Indian River Lagoon
Coalition — an organization that preserves the Indian River. Fare winds and following seas, my love.
Survived by: Wife, Tonya (Ashlock) Smith; Children: Heather Smith, Medford OR; Brandon & Angie
Smith, Grant-Valkaria FL; Siblings: Jess & Gayle Smith, White City OR; Debbie Smith Medford OR;
Brother-in-law, Jerry Brown McMinnville OR; Sisters in-law, Rita (Ashlock) Payne & Joy Ashlock,
Kernville CA; Taletha (Ashlock) Oliver, San Antonio TX . Predeceased by his parents, and sisters: the late Judy Smith (1949), the late Sharon Brown (2007), and Nancy Smith (2017).
