Funeral services for Donald L. "Skip" Floyd, 73, of Kennebec, SD will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at the Kennebec Elementary Gymnasium in Kennebec with burial in the Kennebec Cemetery in Kennebec.  Visitation will begin Monday at 6:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the Kennebec Methodist Church in Kennebec, SD.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent in order to promote and potentially establish a hospice program in the Lyman County area in Skip's name.

View Folder Here

On Thursday, November 17 ^th 2022, Donald Laverne "Skip" Floyd traded his big roweled spurs for wings. He was surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. He fought a long and courageous battle with Renal Cell cancer after being diagnosed in 2001. He grew tired and answered God's call.

Skip was born in Murdo, South Dakota on June 29 ^th , 1949 to Donnie and Ruth (Beale) Floyd and joined sister Lynda. Later, Nancy, Ron and Jack completed the family.

After Skip completed High School at Kennebec, he tried college, which wasn't for him. He came home and on April 17 ^th , 1970 he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, he was sent to Kaiserslautern, Germany for a year.

Skip had dated his High School sweetheart, Mary Hills, for 3 years, (thank you Grandma Essie). Mary graduated from Kennebec High School and attended Black Hills State College.

At Christmas time he sent her an engagement ring (thanks again, Grandma Essie). They were married on July 11, 1970. They returned to Germany to finish out his tour, only to find out he had come down on levy for Viet Nam.

He finished his service that year with an Honorable discharge. He returned to Kennebec where Mary was living with her folks. Skip went to work on the Abdnor Farm and continued to work for John Urban who later took over the farm. He worked there loyally for years alongside Kenny Hamer.

In 1976 they welcomed their 1 ^st girl, Cheyenne Kate and in 1977 another girl, Cassidy Lee joined them and then in 1982 a son, Grady George, completed the family. Skip then went to work for the SD Highway Dept. Soon after he went to work for the Lyman County Highway Dept. He loved driving gravel truck.

When cancer hit him harder he had to retire. Over the years cancer continued to invade his body. He took chemo for 17 years. When he quit taking chemo, which had quit working, he fought with oral paid medications.

Skip loved cattle and horses and he was determined his kids and grandkids would enjoy them too. He continued to have cattle and horses with his family and loved working cattle of his own and helping friends with theirs.

Skip was humble and content with whatever he had. He rarely spoke badly of anyone and was a loyal friend. He loved his life and no matter how tough it got; we found a way to scrape by.

Skip loved Kennebec and was involved in several organizations. He was a member of the Kennebec Methodist Church and the Medicine Creek Riding Club. He was proud of his time in the Army and was a true Patriot. He joined the V.F.W. and American Legion and was often in the Color Guard. He was inducted into the South Dakota Buckaroos in 2005. They are here to take him home.

He was a very loyal supporter of the Lyman Raiders, rarely missing any sporting activities.

Skip is survived by his wife and caretaker of 52 years. The joys of his life were his three children and spouses: Cheyenne (Quint) Garnos, Cassidy (Lowell) Hieb, and Grady (Sara) Floyd. Skip's Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren kept him going!! Grandchildren: Gayt, Kayt, McCall, Texi and Mesa Garnos, Michelle (Frank) Willrodt, Jeff (Jenna) Hieb and Joe Hieb, Tyson, Teagan (Gourneau), Taydem, and Tracen Floyd. Great grandchildren: Rayne, Ella, Charlie and Jack Hieb (Jeff), Luka and Zoey Willrodt (Michelle). His special Hunka Grandson,Titan Gourneau. His siblings and many nieces and nephews. He loved all children.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Donnie and Ruth Floyd, grandparents Esther (Essie) and George Floyd and May and Dale Beale, Uncle (Brother) Dale Beale, Jr.

Happy Trails ~ Until We Meet Again ~