Obituary of Floyd Allen Sexton

Floyd “Al” Sexton died January 8, 2016, at his home in Elma, WA. He was born in Tulsa, OK., the son of Floyd and Goldie (McCully) Sexton, and moved to Washington state at a very young age. Allen (as he was known then) attended grades 1-5 at schools in Ballard. His family then moved to the McCleary area where he enjoyed fishing, his horse “Old Babe,” his English Pointer “Spot,” and a lot of extended family. Allen attended grades 6-12 at Elma schools, graduating from Elma High School where he lettered 3 years in football and baseball. He chose boxing over basketball and achieved Junior Heavyweight Champion his senior year. Allen moved to Seattle and was enrolled in UA Local No.32, Seattle Area Plumbers and Pipefitters as a Plumber’s Apprentice on August 15, 1953 and became known as “Al.” He was initiated into the Union July 24, 1954. In May of 1955, Al married his high school sweetheart, Gayle Combes. Al & Gayle had 2 sons, David and Daniel. Al worked his way up in the union, becoming a Journeyman in 1958, Plumbing Instructor in the Apprentice Program in 1959, full-time Training Coordinator in 1969, and was appointed Business Manager & Financial Secretary of UA Local No.32 in March of 1979. Al continued in this position until 1995 when he took an early retirement to care for his wife, Gayle, and they moved to Summit Lake. In 2002, Al married Barbara Sumpter of Elma and gained a son, Alan. Al enjoyed fishing, golfing, hunting, and adventures with the motor home & Jeep Wrangler. He had been a proud member of UA Local No.32 for 62 years and of the many friends he made there. In addition to his wife, Barbara, Al received wonderful care from Roger, Laura, Karen, Donna, Melissa and Josh. In his last weeks Al also received Hospice comfort care from Sarah, Sally, Linda, and Judy. Al was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Goldie, and his wife, Gayle. Al is survived by his wife, Barbara; his sons, David Sexton of Alaska, Dan Sexton of Tacoma, and Alan Krause of Elma; grandchildren Walker and Mackenzie of Alaska; several cousins and many friends. A gathering of friends and family to honor Al will be held at 1pm on Saturday, January 30, 2016, at the Elma Eagles, 404 W. Young, Elma, WA. Al’s cremains will be interred at the McCleary Cemetery next to his wife, Gayle, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Al’s memory to the Elma Food Bank, PO Box 2550, Elma, WA 98541; the Satsop Methodist Church, Building Fund, PO Box 55, Satsop, WA 98583; Harbors Home Health & Hospice, 201 7th Street, Hoquiam, WA 98550; or a charity of your choice.