Floyd Louis Seward

Floyd Louis Seward, 99, was called to his heavenly home by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 21, 2012 at Taylor Hospice House in Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Thursday at First Christian Church with burial and military rites at Resthaven Cemetery.

Floyd was born in Lethbridge Alberta, Canada the 5th of nine children born to Newton Butler and Cora Lee (Merrick) Seward. He was a resident of Des Moines Iowa for 63 years. He lived the last year of his life at the Village of Legacy Pointe in Waukee, Iowa with his daughter and caregiver, Sharon Seward of Clearwater, Florida.

Floyd came to the states at 15 years of age and graduated from Corydon High School, Corydon, Iowa in 1931. After graduation he traveled and then was employed by Gates Rubber Company of Denver and Cleveland Ohio. He met and married Dorothy Lucille Abel of Humeston, Iowa on June 24, 1940. Their loving union lasted 63 years.

During WW II he served in the U.S. Navy, RDM3/C USS Wesson DE #184 1943-45 in the Pacific Campaign. During the battle of Okinawa he was wounded as a result of a Kamikaze attack on his ship.

Floyd enrolled in barber college in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated in Sept. 1946. He worked in Cleveland until the spring of 1947 when he moved back to Iowa with his family. In 1950 he bought a barber shop in Des Moines near Drake University. He barbered in the same location for 48 years until his retirement.

He will be lovingly missed by his children, Dennis (Mary Kay) of New Virginia, Iowa, Sandra Price (Robert) of Waterloo, Iowa and Rev. Sharon Seward of Clearwater, Florida/Waukee Iowa; grandchildren, Anna Marie, Brian, Dennis Jr., Derek, Eric, Marsha, Rachel, Saralynn; 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews throughout Canada. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Lucille Abel, his parents, and eight brothers and sisters.

Floyd was a 60 year member of First Christian Church, a 72 year Master Mason with Charles T. Raymer – Covenant Lodge #683 in Euclid, Ohio, a 25 + year member of Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem - Des Moines Shrine #43, and a 30 + year member of Eastern Star #417, North Gate Chapter, Des Moines.

Floyd’s passions were nature, gardening, fishing, hunting and spending quality time with family. He continued to be a lifelong learner of anything new and challenging.

23rd Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul;

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness

for His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me

in the presence of mine enemies;

thou anointest my head with oil;

my cup runneth over,

surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me all the days of my life;

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I am home in heaven, dear ones;

Oh, so happy and so bright!

There is perfect joy and beauty

In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,

Every restless tossing passed;

I am now at peace forever,

Safely home in heaven at last.

There is work still waiting for you,

So you must not idly stand;

Do it now, while life remaineth-

You shall rest in God’s own land.

When that work is all completed,

He will gently call you Home;

Oh, the rapture of that meeting,

Oh, the joy to see you come!

Celebration of Life

Floyd Louis Seward

BORN

June 17, 1912

Lethbridge Alberta, Canada

DIED

January 21, 2012

Des Moines, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE

10:00 A.M., Thursday, January 26, 2012

First Christian Church

Officiating, Rev. Suzanne Stout

ORGANIST SOLOIST

Bonnie Corron Ben Allaway

MUSIC

“Amazing Grace”

“Beyond the Sunset”

“The Old Rugged Cross”

PALLBEARERS

Dennis Floyd Seward, Jr. Derek Seward

Brian Price Eric Price

Matthew Price Tim Schneider

HONORARY PALLBEARERS

Larry Abel Victor Arango

LTC John Baker Alan MacKay

Robert Price Harley Seward

INTERMENT

Resthaven Cemetery

West Des Moines, Iowa

Reception at The Village of Legacy Pointe Community Room following the interment service