David (John) Wayne Floyd

David (John) Wayne Floyd, 65, of St. Francisville, La passed away on February 22,2022 at his home. He was born on March 1, 1956 in Baton Rouge, La to the late Ed G. Floyd and Genevieve Gauthier Floyd. David is survived by his beloved wife, Marla Stagg Floyd, his daughter Amanda Floyd Bovino (Dr. Robert Bovino) and his son Preston Hunter Floyd (Whitney Miller Floyd), his sister Bobbie Floyd Young (James O. Young), his sister Patricia Floyd Cole (late Gary Cole), his sister-in-law Carla Karam (Dr. Pete Karam), 4 nephews, 3 great nephews, one great niece and a host of long time friends. David grew up in St. Gabriel and Baton Rouge, La and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School. Afterwards, he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Anthropology. He went on to develop an incredible and illustrious career working first as a Curator Assistant for Rural Life Museum and then Director of Kent House Museum, Alexandria, La. He then became Director of Audubon State Historic Site (Oakley Plantation), West Feliciana. At the same time at Oakley, he was responsible for the restoration and management of E.D. White Plantation, the Locust Grove Historic Cemetery, Old Centenary College, Clinton Historic Cemetery, Fort Pike and Tunica Preservation Area. He left Oakley Plantation to become the Director of Vermilionville Historic Bayou Attraction, Lafayette, La. He came back to Baton Rouge to take the job as Chief of Interpretive Services for Louisiana Office of State Parks. Then Steele Burden, founder of the Rural Life Museum, handpicked David to become the Executive Director of the Museum which he was for 26 years, redefining and creating a world renowned living history museum in which he took great pride and dedication in fulfilling Steele and Ione Burden’s dream of preservation and exhibition of materials from the cultures of 18th and 19th century rural Louisiana. He was instrumental in promoting and providing educational and research resources to advance an understanding of the material and cultural heritage of the state. He retired from LSU in 2020 and went on to become the Executive Director of West Feliciana Parish Tourist Commission in St. Francisville, La. David worked as a museum and restoration consultant for many rural museums, historic homes, historic districts, private historic homes while writing restoration and revitalization plans. He was awarded Preservationist of the Year, 1994; Preservation Award, 1996; and Museum Director Lifetime Achievement Award, 2003.Not only was David known as a great Louisiana historian and visionary, but as a great storyteller of all things Louisiana and more. He was loved by so many who recognized his intelligence, kindness, generous heart, love of people and his sense of humor. He inspired people around him to be their best, to work hard tirelessly, to learn, to be polite and respectable and to be responsible and to have fun. He was a true southern gentleman. The family so lovingly appreciates the support, love, friendship and generosity of so many that was shown during David’s last days here on earth. Special thanks and love to David’s hospice nurse, Melanie Viccellio. The Funeral services are in St. Francisville, La on March 4 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. Visitation is from 10:00 am in the Catholic Hall. Funeral Service and Mass is at 12:00 noon. Interment follows at Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery next door. Reception is in Grace’s Jackson Hall near the cemetery. Pallbearers are Brian Ainsworth, John Barry, Brian Bateman, Jean Becnel, Brent Bradley, Dr. Robert Bovino, Brady Cole, L.J. Dantin, Hunter Floyd, Jordan Karam, Conner Karam, Dr. Pete Karam, Bill Lee, Jeffery Nick, Greg Potts, Will Plettinger, Melvin Wheat, Corey Young, Morgan Young, James Young. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of David Floyd may be made to the LSU Rural Life Museum, 4560 Essen Ln., Baton Rouge, LA 70809. David you were loved and you will be missed.