Floyd Herbert Harrison, Jr.

Funeral Services for Floyd Harrison will be held on August 23rd at 10:00 at LifePointe Church, 900 E Prospect Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80524. There will be a light lunch to follow. Interment will be at 2:30 at Golden Cemetery, 755 Ulysses St, Golden, CO 80401. The service will be live streamed and can be accessed using this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86258902557?pwd=czdXaXkxZHppNWxTaDFDVExJZk1kQT09 On August 8, of this year, 2022 Floyd Herbert Harrison Jr. died of heart failure in the home he shared with his wife Gloria (Allen) Harrison. Floyd was 85 years old Floyd Harrison is survived by his wife Gloria, his son Richard Harrison and wife Susan of Omaha, NE, Kelly Kniss and husband Kevin in Brighton, CO and three stepchildren, Dave Allen and wife Linda of Missouri, Daniel Allen and wife Vicky of Fort Collins, CO and Jim Allen and wife Patty of Colorado Springs, CO. Floyd had two brothers, Bob Harrison of Leavenworth, KS, and Bill Harrison of Fort Collins, CO. Floyd was adored by 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd H Harrison Sr. and Iva Maurene Harrison, his first wife, Norma Jean (Selby) Harrison, sister Vera Cameron, and granddaughter Sierra Kniss. Floyd was born on September 18, 1936, in Pueblo, Colorado. He graduated from Wheatridge High School in 1955 and went on to attend Colorado University where he graduated in 1959 with a degree in Engineering. Later, Floyd earned his master’s in health care management. Floyd married his high school sweetheart, Norma Jean Selby in 1958. They welcomed Richard in 1964 and Kelly in 1967. Norma died in 2008 after 50 years of marriage. Few people are blessed to be so fortunate in love twice, but Floyd found a special love with Gloria Allen of Fort Collins. Knowing a good thing when he saw it, he married Gloria in 2010 and spent 12 very happy years with her before his death. As a child, Floyd’s dad was a salesman for Wear Ever pots and pans and then for Swift and Company. His family moved several times, and Floyd told stories of growing up in Salida, Grand Junction and Wheatridge. Floyd told stories of playing with his brother Bob, delivering newspapers, and working as a Soda Jerk at the local drug store as a teenager. His job as a Soda Jerk was famous for funding his first car and for snagging his first date with Norma Selby. It was probably at least partially responsible for his lifelong love of ice cream and root beer floats. This author cannot verify where a similar love of wine and margaritas originated. Perhaps that last love came from his scoring a place to live near the CU campus with several of his buddies while he started his college career. This experience was instrumental in its influence on his cooking style as well. He frequently told of how he and his roommates cleaned out the fridge at the end of every week and by mixing all the leftovers together, they made the final meal a soup du jour. His college career was influenced by the eight years he spent in the Naval Reserves and would influence the remainder of his life by introducing him to Ray Irwin. Ray became, and remained to the end, Floyd’s best friend. And possibly his introduction and love of margaritas? Floyd and Norma married in 1958, finished their college careers, and moved to Pomona, California. After living and working in Pomona for a few years, they were drawn back to Colorado for the opportunity to invest and work in Caravan Card Company with Norma’s aunt Eunice. Floyd found his life’s mission a few years later when he was hired by Colorado Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. He developed a passion for serving the needs of the elderly. He pursued his master’s in health care management. This step led to Floyd holding a career in Nursing Home Administration, and eventually to 24 years as the CEO of Baptist Home Administration of the Rockies. Noticing how difficult it was to hire well trained nursing home administrators, Floyd and Norma started a training program to prepare Administrators to improve the lives of those under their care and employment. Upon Floyd’s retirement, he and Norma moved to Greeley and shared a “homestead” with Kelly, Kevin, their children, and their foster children. Finally freed from the requirement to endure Colorado winters, Floyd and Norma spent most of their winters in Desert Hot Springs, California, and their summers sailing at Carter Lake. Norma died in the summer of 2008. Floyd and Norma had been married 50 years. Floyd entered a sad season of mourning which would have been much harder and longer if he had not met, and later married, Gloria Allen. Joy and light re-entered Floyd’s soul and could be seen in his eyes once again. Floyd had the blessing of Gloria in his life for 13 happy years before his passing. For many people, this would be the sum of their lives, and that would be good, but this author hasn’t even begun to mention some of the many other ways Floyd made his mark on this world. Floyd was a joyful and selfless giver and was always looking for ways to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. As a child he was helpful to his parents and teachers. As a young adult he enlisted in the Navy Reserves. Floyd made friends wherever he went, and always looked for ways that he could serve. Sometimes that was by paying their rent, helping them find jobs, or teaching them how to navigate the services they needed to get a leg-up. He loved singing in the choir at church, and teaching Sunday School. He helped to start two churches. After retirement, Floyd joined the board at Eldergarden, Adult Day Care in Greeley, and helped them through many changes, challenges, and improvements. At Carter Lake, he helped with the sailing camps for children. When in California, he was always a helping hand to people who lived in their Sparkling Waters community and was on the board of directors for many years. After retirement, he was a loving foster grandpa to many children who came through their home - always known for his freely available cookies and hugs. When Floyd is mentioned, people often say that he was the most compassionate and caring man they ever met. Floyd rarely complained, and never knew a stranger. Floyd’s father wrote this in his Senior Yearbook. Floyd lived out this life for 85 years: Son, It is with genuine pride that I write in your manual. You have been responsible for so much of my happiness in life. It is great having sons which require no worry on my part, the kind of men this nation will need someday to take over. Look always to the future with the knowledge that with Christ by your side, you need fear nothing. Refuse to harbor hatred and jealousy and you will be rewarded many times with more happiness and better health. Keep your eyes on things higher than man. May your life be fruitful and blessed with happiness accordingly, Dad Well done Floyd, we are all thankful for the way in which you lived your life, and we are assured that you have heard the voice of God ring out “Well done, my good and faithful servant!!!” Donations in Floyd's memory can be made to International Students Inc. using thiso online link https://internationalstudents.org/team/babcocks/, or by mailing a donation to ISI-International Students Inc PO BOX C Colorado Springs, CO 80901-3000 Acct# 5489 Randy and Jan Babcock, Fort Collins The service will be live streamed at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86258902557?pwd=czdXaXkxZHppNWxTaDFDVExJZk1kQT09

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Floyd Herbert Harrison, Jr.

September 18, 1936 - August 8, 2022