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Floyd Amundson quietly passed away on Sunday morning, January 3, 2009. He had just celebrated his 90th birthday and 64th Wedding Anniversary. Floyd had been a resident of Albuquerque, NM for over 41 years. He will be missed by his wife Marlys; his four children; and brother and sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews. His children are Debbie and husband John Magers, Bruce, Brent, Scott and his wife Janet Williams; His brother is Donald Amundson; and two sisters are Gladys Gleason, Laverne Hall; and two cousins Lyle Nelson and Wilma Bullock who reside in Grand Forks, N. Dakota. Floyd was preceded in death by his parents Amund and Helen (Nelson) Amundson; and his brother Kenneth Amundson of Manvel, N.Dakota. Floyd grew up on a farm in Manvel was confirmed at Middle Grove Lutheran Church. He worked in the fields, saved his earnings and bought his 1st car when he was 15. He was on the high school football team and graduated from Manvel High School as Valedictorian of his class. He went to Chicago and graduated from Coyne Electronic School. When the war broke out, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corp. He served in the Air Force for 28 years. He attended the USAF Institute of Technology and earned Bachelor degrees in Electrical Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering. During WWII, he got the nickname "Goldie" and participated in the bombing raids on Japan. During one raid they had to land in Russia and were interned in Siberia for 7 months. After the war and before their children were born, he and his wife were stationed at Manus Island, New Guinea and Clark AFB, Philippines. There he flew support between Tokyo, Philippines and the USA. He was later called to assist in the Berlin Airlift. In 1956, he was stationed at Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque NM and was part of the B-52 crew of Project Redwing. It was the first hydrogen bomb test and held in the S. Pacific, at the Bikini Atoll. Later, he served with Research, Development and Project Management at the Pentagon and NASA/Patrick AFB in Florida, helping to develop the Eastern Test Range for Dept. of Defense and NASA missile programs. He enjoyed Florida and spent time with the family boating, water skiing, fishing and hunting. Always the entrepreneur, he also became part owner of the Satellite Motel in Cocoa Beach Florida. The hotel was a landmark and often served as a community center for astronauts and radio broadcasts during space launches. After retiring from the Air Force as Lt. Colonel, Floyd and his family returned to Albuquerque in 1969. He joined a long-time Air Force friend and fellow AFIT graduate, Lt. Col. Ken Cook, and together they founded Amco Services. For 30 years their company provided commercial television and microwave leasing, cable systems, communications equipment and services. He was a pilot for the Shrine's Flying Fez Hot Air Balloon and flew in the 1975 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and every year after that for the next 27 years. He owned several balloons and flew until he was 81. He had the distinction of being one of the oldest hot air balloon pilots. Floyd loved flying and logged over 7,000 hours in his hot air balloons. He and his wife Marlys enjoyed traveling to different balloon events and gave rides to people wherever he flew. Over the years, they took many cruises and trips to Europe, Asia, Central America and Latin America. Wherever he lived, he took an interest in his family, his work, his friends and the community. He was actively involved in many of the local Shrine Charities, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Optimist Club events. His remains were cremated and he will be interred at Santa Fe National Cemetery. A memorial-celebration of his life will be held at Manzano Del Sol, 5201 Roma Avenue NE, on Monday, June 7, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Casa de Vida Nueva, PO BOX 4809 Albuquerque, NM 87196. Balloon Prayer "The winds have welcomed you with softness. The sun has blessed you with his warm hands. You have flown so high and so well, that the gods have joined you in your laughter and set you back again into the loving arms of Mother Earth." Please visit our online guestbook for Floyd at RememberTheirStory.com French 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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