Floyd Dale McOsker

March 26, 1927 ~ August 20, 2022

Floyd Dale McOsker passed peacefully into eternity on Saturday afternoon, August 20 as he napped in his recliner. He was born March 6, 1927, in Faulkner, Oklahoma, to Cleve and Edna Arndt McOsker. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Donna, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley to farmland bought by his grandfather, David Arndt.
Floyd told stories of his early days there during the Great Depression. He was “forced” to run away from home with his big sister when she packed his clothes into a wagon and told him they were leaving. His mother, Edna, taught him to sew on her treadle sewing machine. He had made those clothes and wasn’t going to lose them. There were stories of a yo-yo string so long that he had to stand on the roof to use it. Once as he walked to school barefoot, a stranger picked him up, took him to town, bought him a pair of shoes, then sent him on to school.
The family moved back to Oklahoma in the late 1930’s. Soon after his parents divorced, and Floyd moved to California with his father, Cleve. After Cleve’s death, Floyd returned to Oklahoma, then to Kansas where he lived with his aunt and uncle, Clarence and Grace Wolgamot. As a teenager, he worked as a migrant grain harvester following crops from Kansas north.
In 1943 Floyd enlisted in the Marine Corps. After basic training he was sent to Okinawa where he trained for the planned invasion of Japan. Following the end of the war he served in northern China.
In the late 1940’s Floyd moved to San Antonio to work with his brother-in-law, Cameron Ayres, as a framing carpenter. Eventually Floyd, his brother, Kenneth, and Cameron, formed M&A Construction Company. For many years they framed new homes for builder, Ray Ellison. Prior to retirement, Floyd and his partner, Doug Cross, established Liberty Homes. They created several subdivisions in the northwest quadrant of San Antonio.
For over 20 years, Floyd served as trail boss for the Laredo Trail ride each February. It was in this capacity that he met his dearest friend, Jim Chessher. They enjoyed a close comradery long after Floyd retired from his trail bossing duties.
In retirement Floyd enjoyed golfing, maintaining his place south of Lytle, and building the occasional custom home in company with his sons, Matt and Bruce.
Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Nancy Bivins McOsker, daughter Sharon Pilgrim, son Roger Santos, and sons-in-law Jeff Zuercher and John Renken. He is survived by his wife, Doris Ohlinger McOsker, and his children: Linda (Dean) Tankersley, Matt McOsker, Benny Santos, Bruce (Yajaira) McOsker, Paula Adams, Audree Gierisch, Becky Fenton, Brenda Renken, Patty Pressley, and Cindy Zuercher, 23 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Floyd leaves behind him a legacy of integrity. He was deeply loved and highly respected by all who knew him, especially his wife and children.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 from 9:30 am – 10:30 am at Hurley Funeral Home – Lytle, 14822 Main Street, Lytle, Texas 78052. Funeral Service will be on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 10:30 am at Hurley Funeral Home Chapel with the service being conducted by grandson, David Tankersley. Interment will follow at Black Hill Cemetery in Atascosa, Texas on IH 35 and Lucky Road.
For personal acknowledgements, please visit www.hurleyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements entrusted to Hurley Funeral Home – Lytle, 14822 Main Street, Lytle, Texas 78052.