Floyd Henry Fleetham's Obituary
After valiantly battling Parkinson’s disease for 20 years, Floyd Henry Fleetham, known by many as “Fuzzy Floyd,” was escorted to heaven by a choir of angels to live with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Floyd was born to Edgar and Rosa Fleetham on December 10, 1938, on the family’s Centennial Farm in Sunfield, Michigan. He died peacefully at home on August 29, 2022, with his wife of 58 years, Sherryl, at his side.
Floyd loved people unconditionally, had a passion for youth, exhibited endless patience, and was best known as an encourager. His first prayer in the morning and last at night was to give thanks for his wife and his family. He delighted in his children and grandchildren, cheering for them, playing endless games with them, and teaching them by example. He wrote thousands of letters and “warm fuzzy” notes to people of all ages in celebration, encouragement, and consolation.
He was a revered teacher of history, government, and economics and a coach at Grant, DeWitt, and Clare High Schools. In recognition of his accomplishments as an educator, he was a former finalist for Michigan Teacher of the Year. To foster encouragement, he set aside a day each year to tell the “warm fuzzy” story to his classes. As part of that, he wrote a personal "warm fuzzy" note to each student, and they, in turn, wrote them to each other. Many students remember it as the best day of the year and often kept those notes as cherished memories.
For years he served as the advisor of the Clare huddle of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and as the Dean of the national FCA conferences at Albion College. Several teams regularly invited him as a chapel speaker, including the Central Michigan University football and basketball teams and the Indiana University football team.
After 30 years of teaching, Floyd served as the Executive Director of Cran-Hill Ranch and later as the Executive Director of the Christian Reformed Conference Grounds, where he introduced staff and campers to the “warm fuzzy” tradition and was endearingly known as Fuzzy Floyd. One of his favorite weeks of the summer was for special needs campers.
Floyd is lovingly remembered by his wife, Sherryl (Van Koevering); son, Brian (Sharene); daughter, Debbie (Pat Kain); and grandchildren Ryan and Kate Fleetham and Matthew and Evan Kain. He is survived by his sister, Anne Merrill and his brother, Terry Fleetham (Marsha); his Van Koevering in-laws Carl (Katie), Duane, Norma Tetro, Karen Oakes (Herb); and many nieces and nephews. Floyd was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Jeannine (Cecil) Rogers and their son Blane.
A Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 3pm-5pm at The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Christian Reformed Conference Grounds, 12253 Lakeshore Dr., Grand Haven, MI 49417 on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at 3pm, with visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Christian Reformed Conference Grounds Special Needs Week or Special Treasures Ministry of Covenant Life Church, where Floyd was a member. Share memories with the family at http://www.sytsemafh.com
To honor Floyd, write a note of encouragement to someone today. "Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
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