5/28/1951 – 10/30/2022
Lawrence, KS
Martin Gary Floyd, 71, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2022 at his home in Lawrence, Kansas. Martin was born on May 28, 1951, in Ottawa, Kansas, to Max Floyd, a former Navy pilot, and Marjorie (Brink) Floyd. His family included his three brothers Mike, Mark, and Miles. After graduating from Ottawa High School, he furthered his education at Ottawa University studying Spanish and political science. At University he toured Mexico where he first fell in love with photography, including 8mm cinematography. Martin lived and worked in various small towns in eastern Kansas before starting a successful career as a project manager for the Lawrence-based E&E Display Group, managing the creation of advertising posters and standees from design to production. Later he became a project manager for the north Kansas City company Vanguard Packaging, from which he retired in 2020.
Martin met his wife Rebecca Lowrance in a local theatre troupe. They were married in Ottawa, Kansas on April 12, 1974. Their family grew to include their daughter Emily Lowrance-Floyd and eventually they settled in Lawrence, Kansas.
Martin loved to go camping and particularly loved puttering around and working with RV equipment. He was a self-taught mechanic who enjoyed maintaining older vehicles, including a thirty-year old pickup truck and at one time a 1962 Dodge Lancer inherited from his grandmother and eventually passed down to his daughter. Martin was an avid collector of antique cameras, including all forms of Polaroid equipment. His collection of cameras was truly remarkable and extensive. Martin enjoyed movies too, a trait he passed down to his daughter. He loved classic comedies from the 1950s and 1960s (mostly because of the old cars) and modern sci-fi. He would collect various formats of films he remembered seeing as a child in Ottawa to play on his retro A/V equipment. Martin loved travelling and in his later years had the chance to see many islands in the Caribbean, and places in Alaska, Hawaii, and Mexico. He may have even kissed a stingray one time.
Martin was dedicated to his family and his wife Becky. He cared for his ailing father and helped him through his last days. The love and pride he had for his daughter shown brightly, even when he described one of her more unfortunate teenage hairstyles as a “beaver on her head.” He doted endlessly on his grandkids, spoiling them like only a grandpa can.
Martin was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers Mike, Mark, and Miles. Martin is survived by his wife Becky, his daughter Emily, his son-in-law Matthew Gaus, and two grandchildren, Max and Iris, whom he loved very much. His family would also like to acknowledge the importance of his sister-in-law Jill Sieg and nieces Jennifer, Mandy, and Lyndi in his life and particularly during his final days.
An open house commemorating Martin will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022 at Chapel Oaks Cremation and Funeral Services. Friends and family are encouraged to stop by anytime between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM to pay their respects.
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