Floyd Franklin Hargis

Floyd Hargis passed away on Friday, December 31, 2010 at Cypress Grove Rehabilitation Center.

Floyd was born in 1917 in Franklin, Tennessee to Ira Thomas and Emma Octavia (Copeland) Hargis, having lived most of his life in Evansville, Indiana.

He is survived by his son Charles Hargis (Gale) of Oak Ridge, Tennessee; daughters: Virginia Alldredge (Dale) of Mt. Vernon, Indiana; Peggy McGee (Mike), caregivers, of Newburgh, Indiana; and Julia Luker (Dave) of Chandler, Indiana; and sisters: Wanda Joyce Bethel and Shirley Elisabeth Stone, both of Evansville, Indiana. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Lori Cook, Tina Parker, Troy Harper, Susan Noffsinger, Ryan Hargis, Tony Alldredge, Ross Hargis, Jacob Luker, and Michelle Zoccola; 14 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Venita B. (Bierman) Hargis, in November 2006, a brother, Earl Rozzell, and a sister, Iris Christine Burdon.

He was a veteran of WWII having served in the U.S. Army in the American Theater as a motor-pool driver and later in Sicily in the Signal Corp installing radio towers. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars—Post 1114.

He was a Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker and a member of the Evansville Sheet Metal Workers Union—Local 96, serving as Recording Secretary/Treasurer for 11 years. He was an instructor for the Sheet Metal Workers Trade School (sheet metal apprentice training) at North High School for three years.

While working for Brand Sheet Metal shop, Floyd helped to design and construct the first prototype for the drive-up/curbside mail box used by the United States Postal Service. He worked for US Sheet Metal for a number of years and retired from Industrial Contractors in 1980.

He was appointed to the Vanderburgh County School Board in 1972 by Mayor Russell Lloyd and served two terms. Floyd volunteered, "I can make a change for the working class." Mayor Lloyd asked Floyd to serve a second term.

Floyd was a founding member and president of the Baseball Umpires Association in Evansville. He umpired slow- and fast-pitch softball games; he also umpired Little League, other youth leagues, college, and semi-professional baseball games. He umpired for nearly 20 years before hanging up his blue uniform.

Floyd was a charter volunteer probation counselor working with then, Circuit Judge William Miller's court. He also drove for Meals on Wheels for 20 years.

Floyd was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Evansville, IN for 47 years. He served on several mission teams to help build/rebuild structures in poor communities.

He loved to spend time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, travel, and enjoyed playing Rook and Bridge.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Monday, January 3, 2011, at Alexander West Chapel, officiated by Rev. Allen Amstutz with entombment at Alexander Memorial Park. Friends may visit Sunday, January 2, 2011, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 216 SE 3rd Street, Evansville; Meals on Wheels, 3700 Bellemeade Avenue, Evansville; or Habitat for Humanity, 1401 N. Fares Avenue, Evansville.