On Saturday August 9, 2008, I had the opportunity to join Steve Floyd’s friends and family in a final memorial service for him. The service was held at Abundant Life Community Church in Grass Valley, Ca.

In attendance were about 130 people from across the country that knew Steve and loved him. Most impressive were Steve’s sisters singing songs for everyone. They sang The Old Rugged Cross and Sweet By and By in such great harmony that I found myself with a tear in rolling down my cheek as I listened. Everyone in attendance could just feel Steve’s presence.

A video of Steve was shared that showed his life from a kid to the day of his passing. Always, Steve’s smile stole the show.

Steve’s brother and Senior Pastor of the church, Sam, gave the invocation as all listened to his beautiful words. The family shared stories of Steve’s life and memories from childhood growing up in the church and growing their own food to his final days that were recalled to include his love for shuffleboard and his dedication to his friends and family throughout his life. His story of growing up in faith and walking away from God only to return to his understanding of God was an incredible story of a man most of us knew through his competitive nature. Still, Steve’s walk through life seemed too large for life. To listen to his life as seen through others eyes is amazing. This simply reminds me how precious a life Steve had and what he meant to so many of us in the shuffleboard community.

In attendance from the world of shuffleboard were the “Rat Pack” of Bob Hunt, Hal Perry, Donny Cox and Nick Chaffin. It was a great pleasure for me to be in such company as this group to say goodbye to a good friend and great person.

Steve’s decision to be buried next to his parents gives tribute to his love of family. Steve spent his last hours with family singing songs and never getting down about his fight with cancer. As Reverend Sam told us all, Steve refused to give up until the end. Right up to the end Steve kept requesting his family sing songs together and just be with each other in love.

The true fighter, competitive, loving, compassionate, serious, demanding, care free person that Steve was, was told in all of his friends and family’s words and tears. Steve will be greatly missed and thought of often.

Goodbye my friend and may you lag fours forever in Heaven.

Jeff Posthumus