- Date Of Birth: June 9, 1930
- Date Of Death: February 24, 2018
- State: Idaho
Floyd Charles Actis, 87, of Idaho Falls, passed away Saturday, February 24, 2018, at his home, surrounded by family, following a valiant battle with cancer.
Floyd was born in Butte, Montana, on June 9, 1930, to Charles and Leah Actis. He grew up in Meaderville, the Italian neighborhood of Butte, and was extremely proud of his Italian heritage. He loved playing football and was recognized as a local football star. His football activities started in grade school when every Saturday he and his team would ride their bikes along the railroad tracks from Meaderville to Clark’s Park to play other grade school teams. They didn’t have uniforms–only old leather helmets and shoulder pads and the rest was whatever clothing they happened to be wearing, mostly a pair of jeans and a sweater. By the time Floyd was in 8th grade he was the Captain of the team. He went on to play fullback or halfback on the Butte High football team. When Floyd’s high school football coach assigned him the jersey number 77, Floyd questioned why he was assigned a seventy series number which was normally given to the line men. His coach responded, “Red Grange wore number 77 and he was possibly the best running back ever. And Floyd, you are my Red Grange.” Floyd earned three letters in football; played in two State Champion Games; was appointed the Butte High Captain; was an All-State selection; and was elected to play in the prestigious 1950, East West Shrine game. He received a scholarship to play football at Montana State University where he played until it interfered with his Engineering curriculum.
Floyd joined the Navy in 1950, and spent most of his enlistment aboard the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Los Angeles.
