Floyd B. McCormick

Floyd "Buddy" McCormick, a distinguished aviator, passed away peacefully at his home in Castle Rock on October 11, 2023. He was 78 years old.

Buddy was born on June 12, 1945, in Mobile, Alabama, to Floyd and Chellie (Cole) McCormick. He graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1963. His educational path continued at Mississippi State University, where he played clarinet in the Famous Maroon Band and was in Air Force ROTC. He graduated in 1968 and was commissioned in the Air Force as a pilot. Buddy served his country stationed at Columbus Air Force Base, where he was a T-38 instructor.

After his honorable service in the Air Force, Buddy took to the skies as a pilot for FedEx. His career at FedEx spanned 31 years and included flying the Falcon DA 20, Boeing 727, and DC-10. Beyond piloting, he contributed significantly to the company as a senior manager in the training department and in the flight test department for the 727.

In 2006, Buddy's passion for aviation led him to join the Civil Air Patrol. Over the years, he served diligently and with distinction, holding roles such as Squadron Commander for the Evergreen Composite Squadron, Commander of the Colorado Wing Encampment for six years, and Vice Commander of the Colorado Wing for seven years. His expertise in leadership, drill, and uniforms made him an invaluable asset to the organization.

Buddy's love for Colorado was evident to all who knew him. He fell in love with the state's mountains during his first visit to Boulder as a teenager. In 1993, he made the move to Summit County, where he lived full-time. For 15 years, he shared his passion for skiing as an instructor at Keystone. Buddy's love for adventure also led him to summit an impressive 34 14ers.

Known for his culinary skills, Buddy was a remarkable cook who appreciated food and wine, delighting in sharing his creations with family and friends. He explored international destinations and enjoyed visits to National Parks, the southwestern United States, and the Caribbean. Many of his trips were on his Harley Davidson motorcycle. His love of trains inspired many visits to Winslow, Arizona and his N-Scale model railroad in his basement.

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Chellie. He leaves behind a loving family, including his wife, Kristen, his sister Ellen, his son Jake, and nieces Chellie and Traci. In accordance with Buddy's wishes, the family kindly requests that, instead of flowers, donations be made to the Colorado Civil Air Patrol Foundation, by visiting https://www.coloradocapfoundation.org/donate . A memorial gathering to celebrate Buddy's life will be held at a future date.