Floyd Franklin Blair

Floyd F. Blair, a decorated World War II fighter pilot, accomplished engineer, businessman, and musician, passed away after a remarkable life. He was born on November 15, 1920, in Fort Payne, Alabama, to Eugene and Della Blair. Sister Maudine was born shortly behind him, and the family moved to Tifton, Georgia, when Floyd was six. After graduating from high school, where he was voted Best All Around and nicknamed The Preacher, Floyd attended the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering while participating in ROTC. A talented saxophone player, he worked his way through college playing saxophone in big bands. In June 1942, he answered the call to serve by joining the Army Air Corps. Assigned to the 507th Fighter Squadron, 404th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, Floyd piloted a P-47 bearing the code name “Ramblin’ Wreck.” On June 6, 1944 (D Day), 1st Lt. Floyd Blair flew combat missions over Normandy as part of Operation Overlord. Throughout the war, he provided critical low-level ground support for Allied troops, targeting German tanks, troop trains, and enemy strongholds while coordinating directly with U.S. tank crews on the ground. He also served during the Battle of the Bulge as Allied forces pushed deeper into Europe. Following the liberation of Sint-Truiden, Belgium, in September 1944, Floyd found a way to lift spirits amid the hardships of war. He organized a five-piece band called “Nix Compris,” a playful phrase meaning & quote: "I don’t understand,” inspired by the language barriers between American troops and the local Flemish- and French-speaking residents. The band became beloved by both soldiers and civilians alike. After World War II, he met and married Lucy. Living in Miami, they had 2 children, Michael and Susan, and enjoyed the life and party of 1950s Florida. Floyd applied his engineering talents at Westinghouse Electric Corporation. During the Korean War, he again served his country stateside in the military. He later became a successful entrepreneur, founding two electrical product manufacturer representative firms, Glenn Associates and Glenn International in Puerto Rico. This work took him throughout the Caribbean, where he formed many friendships and foundations. He remained active professionally for decades, retiring at the age of 95. Eventually moving to Ocala, FL, while Floyd continued to travel and work, he oversaw operations and shenanigans of children, grandchildren, and pets, usually at the helm of a Webber BBQ, rum in hand. Floyd’s ribs have become a longstanding family tradition that continue to be taught, passed on, and enjoyed. The family enjoyed walks around “the hole” on the property, friends and neighbors of Meadow Wood, and frequent trips to Disney. Lucy passed away from leukemia in 1998. He later married Sharon in 2001. They enjoyed trips to Disney and Yellowstone, meetups with surviving members of the 404th, and were active members at Ocala First United Methodist Church. Floyd had a deep faith and was a long-standing member of his Sunday School group. In 2016, Floyd received one of France’s highest honors, the French Legion of Honor Medal, in recognition of his heroic contributions to the liberation of France during World War II. In 2024, he was able to make the trip back to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D Day, thanks to the Best Defense Foundation. Floyd’s sister Maudine only recently passed herself a few months before him. They both did and saw so much in their 105 and 101 years. Floyd is survived by his wife Sharon; children: Michael and Susan; stepchildren: Krista and Bryan; grandchildren: Nathan, Jesse, Katie, Lucas, Ryan, and Alex, great grandchildren: Nora, Javier, and Jack, and his equally treasured collection of in-laws, Jeanie, Jim, Cristina, Anton, Sam, Billie, Martin, and Matt. Floyd was the life of any party, any room, and if it was not already a party, he would make it so, whatever the occasion. Floyd’s recipe for a long life: rum, a good time, good food, and keep moving and shaking. He continued his RAF exercises until around the age of 95, which he always regretted stopping, and continued his walks around the neighborhood until the end. Floyd, you were a ramblin, gamblin, hell of an engineer, and so much more. Should you wish to honor Floyd with a charitable gift, please donate to First United Methodist Church of Ocala - https://fumcocala.org/give/; Hospice of Marion County - https://hospiceofmarion.org/donate/; Doctors Without Borders - https://give.doctorswithoutborders.org/campaign/675296/donate .

Floyd Franklin Blair

November 15, 1920 - May 10, 2026