Floyd Vernon Dry, age 85 of Springfield, Missouri passed away Monday April 24, 2017 at Springfield Rehabilitation Heath Care Center. Floyd was born June 4, 1931 in Moscow Kansas inside a half dugout to Fred and Alma Dry. While in high school, Floyd was an excellent student and even participated in the band playing the trombone. Floyd enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed for the better part of his tour at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, NV. He mentioned once that for entertainment, he sat on the barracks stairs and witnessed atomic bomb testing in the distance. After his tour in the Air Force, Floyd married Macie Futrell on March 26, 1954 and went to work for McDonald Douglass Aircraft in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Floyd’s first son, Curtis, was born in Tulsa in May of 1956. Floyd and family moved on from there to Ava, Missouri where he worked for the city as a lineman. Floyd’s second son, Douglas, was born in May of 1959 in Springfield. Floyd did not like his job with the city that much and had the opportunity to join the Missouri Dept. of Conservation on October 1, 1961 as a Forest Towerman 1. His first assignment was to man the Squires lookout tower. Recognizing that Floyd’s skills may be wasted in a fire tower, Floyd was promoted to Clerk Dispatcher on the old West Plain Forest Protection District. Always looking to learn, he studied nights with correspondence courses from the National Radio Institute. He finally took the FCC test and got his Federal Communications License to work on two way radios and associated equipment. This earned him another transfer to Jefferson City in a training position which involved climbing towers. Floyd was very busy in this position and built many of the communication towers that the department still uses today across the state. After his training, he was transferred to his first district which was the Sullivan area. From there he had another opportunity to transfer to the Springfield area, which was closer to family. In January 1984, Floyd and Macie were in a major car accident in which Macie died. When Floyd finally retired on November 1, 1996 he was asked to return to volunteer to help out the current technician that replaced him (his son Douglas Dry). Floyd ended up volunteering for over 16,000 hours for the department. Floyd also spent his pastime in gardening, model railroading, and genealogy. He is survived by his two sons, Curtis Wayne Dry and wife Katrina) and Douglas Glenn Dry; four grandchildren, Nicole Silva, Victoria, Demitri, and Diego Dry and one great-grandchild Lola Silva, along with many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Floyd was also preceded in death by his parents. Floyd, who was the youngest of five, was also preceded in death by his siblings Dorothea Winnifred Robertson, Opal Jane Downs, Jesse Leroy Dry, and Lawson Alfred Dry. Funeral services for Floyd will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, April 28, 2017 in Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Springfield. Visitation will be 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday evening in the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com.
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David E. Pitts says
April 25, 2017 at 4:09 pmI first knew Floyd when I was growing up on a dairy farm east of Ava and Floyd was working for the city of Ava. Later we worked together in the Department of Conservation Southwest Region. Floyd was “always there for you” and did his best to get our radios ready for work. Floyd was a good man and a good friend.
Amy Juhala says
April 26, 2017 at 7:09 amDoug and family, we are thinking of you during this difficult time. Floyd will be missed greatly.
Kenny Haslag says
April 27, 2017 at 7:32 amDoug,
I am happy and proud to have met and worked with your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Connie Dry Adams says
April 27, 2017 at 8:19 amFloyd was my dad’s (Lee Owen Dry) first cousin. Although they did not have the opportunity to spend a lot of time together, they often talked on the phone. My dad enjoyed those times very much. Floyd was a wonderful, caring man. He will be missed by many.
-The Georgia Drys
Nicole Montgomery says
April 28, 2017 at 5:46 amFloyd was my father in law and husband’s couisn, I had the privilege of meeting him some years ago, but always wished I had met him sooner… From the moment I walked into his front door, I loved him, he’s stories made me laugh, his humor and quite laugh were contagious and his kindness and hospitality were so appreciated. I won’t ever forget our visits, and I’m so glad he was able to meet my daughter on our list trip to Missouri. You were a special man, Floyd you left an impression on my heart and I will miss you!
Cathy Cumberledge says
April 28, 2017 at 8:31 amDoug,
I am glad I had the opportunity to work with your Dad. I always enjoyed his stories and he always had a way to make you laugh. I will truly miss him. You are in my prayers.
Vanessa Mahaney says
April 29, 2017 at 2:11 pmMy prayers are extended to the Dry Family. I had the opportunity of working with Floyd during the MDC’s Springfield Auctions. A gentle and kind spirit always willing to help. May God grant you His peace on the Homegoing of this peaceful man.
Mary, Bob Long and Family says
July 12, 2017 at 3:28 amDoug and Curt
My families prayers are with you. So sorry to hear of your loss. Uncle Vernon will be missed so much. We all loved him.I only found the obituary now or I would have came up for the funeral. Sorry news doesnt get to me very fast.
Love,
Your cousin Mary (sis)
Carol Peck says
February 25, 2018 at 4:50 pmWas so sorry to hear Floyd passed away away. My dad(Glen Peck) always talked about him as did grandma. Please know you are in my prayers.
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