Floyd's notice in the Spokesman Review

This is what was published in today's Spokesman Review. A similar notice has been posted in papers in Cleveland, Ohio, and Salem, Ore. You can find the original online at the newspaper's site.

Floyd J. Klozar, Jr.,
of Spokane left us on April 12, 2008, at the height of his life. Born February 8, 1929, in Cleveland, OH, he was 79 years young when he was taken by a stroke on a sunny day, just after a game of golf visiting Cancun, Mexico. He was there with his wife, Virginia; his son, Mike; and friends Maria and Jim. Floyd spread humor, joy, and compassion to all those he met on his life's journey.

His loyalty to his family, friends, and country was legendary. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 33 years, including tours in Korea and Vietnam. He pitched for the Air Force baseball team that toured the world to a championship title and was later asked to try out for a major league baseball team. After USAF tours in England, Texas, Florida and Alaska, Floyd retired to Spokane in 1978, where he worked for the U.S. Post Office until 2000. Floyd served as the president of St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Charities in Spokane, which allocates money for families in need through non-profit organizations such S.N.A.P (Spokane Neighborhood Action Program).

Floyd was an adventurer in life. He loved whitewater rafting and camping and adored his dogs Linus, Chena and Koko. He worked to clean up local rivers, and could always squeeze in a round of golf, a pint of beer, or a game of pool with close friends. His thirst for adventure grew each year in life as he travelled the world on adventures to visiting Wales, Spain, Australia, and often to the beaches of Mexico, where he finally left us.

Floyd was an 18-year-old newly minted airman in the U.S. Army Air Corp when he met and married Elizabeth May "Betty" (Mootz) the day he met her in 1947. He remained her loving husband for 45 years until her death. He is survived by their four children: oldest son Francis Eugene "Gene" Klozar and daughter Teresa Ann Lamberson, both of Spokane; Sherry Louise Tieman, of Portland, OR; and Michael Alan "Mike" Klozar and daughter-in-law Kathleen Flinn Klozar of Seattle. He was loving grandfather to Christy Lynn Lamberson of Key West, FL; Michelle Ray Davis, Spokane, Genie Reid of Montana, and Alaina Klozar of Oregon.

After the loss of his wife Betty to cancer and heart disease in 1995, Floyd remarried Virginia Hall Klozar in 1995 in Gretna Green, Scotland, with his British "mates" and son Mike standing at his side. He is survived by his stepsons Timothy K. Sebers of Moyie Springs, ID, and Daniel Lee Hall of Spokane, and their families.

A Catholic funeral and mass will be held at St. Anthony Parish, 2320 N. Cedar, Spokane, WA, at 10 a.m. on April 22, 2008, followed by a military ceremony at Holy Cross cemetery, 7200 N. Wall St., at 11:30 a.m. Join us for a celebration of his life with music, dancing and fun, at the B.O.F. (Brotherhood of Friends), in Spokane, WA. planned for May.

Details of this event and contribution directions can be found at www.klozar.com. Arrangements entrusted to Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home, 1306 N. MONROE ST.