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WARREN -- James "Jim" Gebel Floyd of Warren, passed awayWednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.
Jim was born Nov. 5, 1938, in Tarentum, Pa., to the late Marie G. Floyd and George C. Floyd.
Surviving family include his wife and best friend of 48 years, Charlotte Bahr Floyd; his daughter, Lydia M. Floyd; son-in-law, Michael C. Harford; grandson, Ian Floyd Harford; his brother, David G. Floyd; his sister, Linda F. Anderson; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Jim graduated with a juris doctorate from the University of Denver Law School, an engineering degree from Fairfield University and a high school diploma from Proctor Academy in Andover, New Hampshire.
Jim served as an officer achieving the rank of commander in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve, and is a Vietnam veteran.
He was an accomplished attorney and worked as a shareholder at the law firm of Manchester, Newman and Bennett in Youngstown, where many sought Jim's advice and counsel on business and banking matters, including his expert knowledge of the Uniform Commercial Code. Jim also provided pro bono counsel and services for those in need.
Jim excelled as a communicator. When he spoke, people listened.
He was known as "Uncle Jim" to family and friends whom he was always willing to mentor, teach and help. Jim often reminded others to "live it up," "enjoy life" and "be of good cheer." Jim lived life.
He was an accomplished sailor and an avid supporter of the arts and music in Warren and Youngstown. He traveled around the world, both on land and at sea. He navigated ships and submarines, raced sailboats and loved visiting historical sites and museums. He befriended penguins in Antarctica, listened to coqui tree frogs in Puerto Rico and welcomed a few lucky cats, dogs and goldfish into his Japanese-style home in Warren. Jim loved adventures.
He had a brilliant memory and brought joy to others, sharing stories of his travels and by bringing adventure home to his friends and family. He welcomed friends to ride with him on a fleet on double decker buses he brought home from England or explore Warren in an English taxicab that he acquired in London during his honeymoon with Charlotte. Later in life, he and Charlotte could be found racing across the country in his favorite Mini Cooper visiting family, including his closest cousin, Emile Gebel, at Lake Norman, where all the cousins and their children would spend hours conversing after the annual lobster bake.
Jim gave to his community and others. He served as the treasurer of the Nathaniel R. Jones American Inn of Court, as the chairman and elected board member on the Western Reserve Port Authority, as well as the organizing director and chairman of the Trumbull County Transit Board. As a longtime member of Vienna Presbyterian Church, he helped make the historic church handicap accessible so that "all may enter."
He gave to numerous charities in the area and in recent years loved supporting the two that were closest to his wife's heart, the Stambaugh and Warren Civic choruses, where Jim could listen to Charlotte sing throughout the year.
A memorial service for Jim will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, with calling hours from noon to 2 p.m., at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Boardman.
The family requests that any donations in remembrance of Jim be made to the Stambaugh Chorus or SMARTS (Students Motivated by the Arts).
The family is in the care of Lane Funeral Home, Madasz Chapel. As Jim would often say -- Be of Good Cheer and God Bless You.
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