The LORD called home Floyd R. Conway, one of His good and faithful servants, on Friday, October 26, 2007, as he succumbed to a unexpected heart attack. A 50 year resident of Olympia, Floyd was born in Grays Harbor County on November 7, 1929, graduated from Wishkah High School in 1948, an served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He married his wife of 53 years, Joan Carol Barker, at the Mission Covenant Church in Aberdeen on February 27, 1954, and they moved to Olympia in 1957, shortly after the birth of the first of five children.
Upon graduating from Saint Martin’s College in 1961, he began a 25-year career teaching at Littlerock Elementary, then in the Griffin and Olympia School Districts. An avid sports fan, he took great pride in coaching football and wrestling for a majority of those years. He also was able to instill his love of music as a school band director for several years. Self-taught and without formal music training, he was able to teach each instrument and piece of music to his students. While serving as a deacon at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Floyd was called to be the Pastor at the East Olympia Community Church, where he ministered from 1965 to 1989. Elected in 1968, he also served in the State Legislature for two terms as a member of the House of Representatives.
After retiring from teaching in 1986, his children kept him busy with numerous “projects” and blessed him with 14 grandchildren, who provided endless hours of enjoyment during family vacations, gatherings, holidays, and celebrations. He remained faithfully active in his church and loved to share his gift of prayer, guitar playing, and singing while ministering to many. The Olympia Union Gospel Mission, Christian Coalition, and Republican Party were several of the organizations with whom he remained involved.
All those who knew Floyd will sorely miss his sense of humor, gregarious laughter, and infections smile. He was a warm and compassionate spirit who walked with the LORD…and in all his ways acknowledged Him.
Floyd was survived by his beloved wife, Joan; their five children, Steven Conway of Olympia, John Conway, of Chehalis, Michael and Natalie Conway of Edgewood, Jayne and Rick Griffith, of Yakima, Julie and Dave Putman of Enumclaw; and seven siblings, Bob and Judy Conway of Oregon City, Oregon, Mary Ellen Pollorvo, Ron and Lucille Conway, of Hoquiam, Bebe Ann Scott, Lorn and Loretta Conway, Patsy and Dennis Rose, Jim and Roberta Conway of Aberdeen.
Memorial services and reception will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 4, 2007, at Westwood Baptist Church, 333 Kaiser Road N.W., Olympia. A private viewing for the immediate family and friends will precede the service in the Westwood Chapel from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. All those whose lives Floyd touched are invited to attend this celebration of his life.
Memories and condolences for the family may be left at: www. funeralalternatives.org
A donation in his name to the Olympia Union Gospel Mission would both honor Floyd and be greatly appreciated.: www. Ougm. Org
“…Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have don it unto me.” –Matthew 25:40
