
Charles Bradley Floyd
1932-2023
Charles Bradley Floyd, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and proud Marine, passed away on November 11, 2023, at the age of 91.
Charles was born on February 20, 1932, in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, to Bessie Watson Floyd and Carl Bradley Floyd. He grew up alongside his siblings, Bayne, Wayne, Glendon, Cleatus, and Barbara. Charles graduated from Pleasant Grove High School, Seminole, in 1949. On December 31, 1951, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, he married Ella Cotton, and together they shared 64 years of marriage. Charles and Ella raised three children, Glen Floyd, Cheryl O’Rourke, and Steve Floyd.
Charles served with honor and distinction in the United States Marines from 1949 to 1953. His service included a significant role in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, earning him the esteemed title of one of “The Chosin Few.” Charles carried his pride as a Marine throughout his life, embodying the values of loyalty, courage, and commitment.
After his military service, Charles dedicated over 50 years to the oil and gas sales industry. He was known for his exceptional storytelling and his commitment to serving those he loved.
In his leisure time, Charles found joy in the company of his family. He never missed the extracurricular activities of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, cherishing every moment spent with them. He is survived by his children Glen, Cheryl, and Steve, his grandchildren Audra Smalley and her husband George, Suzanne Smith, Lindsey Miller, Kate Harrison and her husband Sean, his great-grandchildren Tracy Smalley, Alyssa Rodriguez, Nathan Smalley, Loren Miller, Luke Miller, and Charlotte Harrison, his sister, Barbara Floyd Moore, sister-in-law, Elizabeth Voelker-Sargent and many other family and friends who loved him.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ella, his siblings Bayne, Wayne, Glendon, and Cleatus, and his daughter-in-law Anabel. His memory will forever be engraved in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
A special thanks to Dr. John Randolph and the staff of the Oklahoma Heart Hospital.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 16, 2023, at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel in Edmond, OK. Interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Akins Cemetery in Sallisaw, OK. May he rest in peace and may his legacy of love and service continue to inspire us all.
We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but are not able to. To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on ‘Videos’, then ‘Live Streams’.
Love to all of you in your loss of such a special
person. He was always smiling and made you feel like you was one of his’! Our prayers are sent your way. I am sure he is smiling upon each of you. Patty and all of her family send their sympathy and love.
Its goodbye for awhile but it’s not the end, we will see you again.
Condolences to the Floyd family.
Anyone who knew Charlie would agree that his kindness and generosity were second to no one. He was a family man, a proud Marine and someone you could always count on. I will miss him.
He got me my first full time job, and 39 years later, I retired from that job, so I believe I owe him something I can never repay.
I’ll always love and remember you, Charlie.
I can’t find the words to express how much you meant to me, but I know you knew just as I know how much I meant to you. I love you Moore Uncle Chotty.
Julie Dawn
I am writing this today on behalf of my late husband, Boyce Wayne Floyd Sr., and also on behalf of our whole family, Boyce Jr., Steve, Cindy, and Jody. Uncle Chottie, as we all called him, meant the world to us all! We are here this week to celebrate the life of a wonderful man with all the Floyd families. We are the Floyds from North Carolina. Our love goes out to Glen, Cheryl and Steve, Aunt Bobbi, as well as the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
As often as possible over the years, we have made many trips to Oklahoma to visit our Floyd relatives. They have also done the same visiting us in North Carolina. I remember a time early in 1963 on November 22 we had just visited Bradley and Bessie Floyd in Sallisaw, and we were on our way to Fort Smith to visit uncle Chottie and aunt Ella, when we received the news that John F. Kennedy, the president, had been assassinated. We spent that sad and tragic day with our uncle Chottie and aunt Ella.
There were so many times that we spent together, good and some sad. We have always treasured our times with aunt Ella and uncle Chottie. I remember a time recently when uncle Chottie and I had laughed over the phone about a visit that we had when my children were small. Our children always enjoyed staying at uncle Chottie and aunt Ella‘s home with a beautiful extra bedroom and I remember when uncle Chottie went into the children’s room first thing in the morning and told them that breakfast was ready. Our daughter, Cindy, sat straight up in the bed and said “No thank you, we’ve already eaten”. Uncle Chottie thought that was so funny! He always knew that my children were so well behaved. He got a really good laugh out of that and he seemed to tell the story every year. We always listened as though we had never heard it.
Our family has such wonderful memories of our visits with uncle Chottie and aunt Ella and our visit was never complete unless we had seen them. Uncle Chottie was a kind, caring and loving man. Uncle Chottie and aunt Ella always made us feel welcome, as did all the Oklahoma Floyds, when we came to visit. Uncle Chottie served his country in the United States Marine Corps and in 1950 he was in the Korean War at the Chosen Reservoir and extreme cold weather, surrounded by enemy forces. There were American heroes and brave men over there.
I hope uncle Chottie, and aunt Ella, my Boyce, and all the Floyd friends and relatives that are there together in heaven, are telling their stories. We will miss you! We love you, Semper Fi, and we hope you have a glorious reunion in heaven, with all of your loved Ones.
Love Ellie Floyd and family.
Oh the smiles and laughter my husband and I had with “gentle” Charley. Who always had a smile and sincere welcome to see you and called you by name. He had many many friends in the oil and gas industry and his loyalty was always respected by his industry peers no matter in the office or out in the field. They both were very proud of the industry they served . A Good man, let me repeat, A Good Man.
Oh the stories will continue with you and Bobby, that’s a given, both serving in the Korean War and both hating the extremely cold weather there.
Flashback, Bobby was sitting in the hygienist chair telling stories to her and the young girl said, Mr Alexander I think you might know my father-in- law.. His name is Charley Floyd. Bobby grinned and yes I know him very well and surprise – she lived next door to his oldest son.
“Air Force” and “Marine” veterans to the core.
Semper Fi good buddy.
Love You, Donna Alexander ❤️
Charles Floyd Memories
I am saddened to hear of Charles Floyd’s death. I talked to him about three months ago and his son was living with him. Charles Floyd and I were the last living students in our 1949 class at Pleasant Grove High school. I attended my 9th and 10th grades at Prairie View High school with Charles Floyd and then we graduated from Pleasant Grove High school in 1949. Charles Floyd joined the US Marines in 1949 to avoid the draft and to choose his branch of service.
Charles Floyd was a good friend and I will miss him terribly.
Roy Waller
Uncle Charles was one of the finest men we have ever known. We are so much richer for having known him. He always remembered to ask about our children and grandchildren by name. He was one of the bright spots of our visits to Oklahoma. It was fun to see family pictures in his home. So glad he is with his wife and brothers now.
Larry Ciecalone and Barbara Floyd Ciecalone