Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Floyd Earl Ferrell, born on Oct. 22, 1933, in Vinita, Oklahoma, passed away on May 22, 2026, at his home in Lyle, Washington, at the age of 92.Floyd was born to Gertrude and Jesse Bryan Ferrell during the height of the Great Depression, an era of hardship that shaped his lifelong resilience and legendary work ethic.
He grew up in a large family alongside his siblings: Wilburn, Eva, James William, Rosemary, Dorothy, and Norma. His working life started early; at the young age of 10, Floyd was already working at a sawmill with his father. By age 12, he became the only member of his family to move to Western Kansas, where he worked on a wheat farm and cattle ranch to send money back home to support his family. The owners of the farm grew deeply fond of Floyd, embracing and treating him like their own son. At 15, his journey took him further west to Mosier, Oregon, to live with his sister Eva and her family.
His career was marked by dedication and service to his community. He began by working at the Chevron station in The Dalles for Jack Rinehart, and then for Ernie Miles at The Dalles Soda Works/Pepsi Bottling Co. He found his long-term career with the bread company, working for Sunbeam, Wonderbread, and finally Franz. For 43 years, Floyd was a familiar face, delivering bread throughout the Gorge. He was known for his reliability, even crossing the river by ferry (and sometimes on ice!) before the bridge was built.
Floyd was a man of many talents and passions. A musician from an early age, he started with a box guitar before mastering the steel guitar. He was a singer and could yodel, performing at venues like The Oasis in Goldendale with Pete Graves in the 1950s and continuing to play throughout the Gorge until he was 92. Beyond music, Floyd was an avid pilot who built his own P-11 Piper Cub. He flew it for many years on hunting and fishing trips, and once even flew it all the way back to his home state of Oklahoma.
His commitment to the community was evident through his service as a Klickitat County Search and Rescue Patrolman and a Dallesport Airport Commissioner. He also served as a The Dalles Policeman and had the honor of escorting President John F. Kennedy during his visit to the area.
Floyd was married to Jackie Caldwell on Aug. 7, 1954, and together they had two children, Rhonda (born in 1955) and Jim (born in 1957). After their divorce, he married Delores (Dody) Ferrell in 1974, lovingly welcoming her four children into his life. Following their marriage, Floyd and Dody bought property outside of Lyle, up the Centerville Highway on Rowland Road. They absolutely cherished their home, surrounded by a peaceful meadow, a stunning view of Mount Adams, and the local nature and wildlife they both loved so much. It was in this special place, surrounded by the beauty of the Gorge, that Floyd spent his final years and peacefully passed away.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Rhonda, and is survived by his beloved wife, Dody Ferrell; his son, Jim (Janis) Ferrell; his stepchildren, Jack (Mona) Myers, Jeanine (Steve) Miles, Candy Anderson (widow of Dennis), and Scott Myers (widower of Monique); and his sister, Dorothy Richardson. He also leaves behind a legacy in his 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Floyd will be remembered for his incredible life story, his dedication to his family and community, and the music he shared so generously. Those who knew him best will also fondly remember his natural gift as a storyteller and his colorful, unapologetic sense of humor, always ready with a joke and a mischievous laugh for anyone willing to listen.
Private family services will be held at their home in Lyle.
Columbia Gorge News, June 10, 2026
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