Homer C. Floyd

Homer C. Floyd, born May 23, 1936, in Alabama, to the late Homer C. and Annie R. Floyd, passed away at the age of 89, after a brief illness. He was known among his peers as “The Dean of Civil Rights” due to his significant contributions to the civil rights movement. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mattie M. (Longshore) Floyd.

Homer began his career as an investigator and later became the Executive Director of the Kansas Commission on Civil Rights (1966-1970). He also served as a consultant to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Washington, DC), serving North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. In addition, he served as a consultant to the Government of the Virgin Islands.

It was January 19, 1968, while Homer was Executive Director of the Kansas Commission on Civil Rights, he shared the stage with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This would be Dr. King’s last speech in a college auditorium. When Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, they found in his coat pocket a note with the name Homer C. Floyd written on it.

Homer was Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, a position he held from February 1970 to January 2011. Homer’s 50-year civil rights career spanned racial segregation, school integration, equal pay for women, and the resurgence of hate groups. A former employee once stated of Homer’s career, “Other state human relations commissions go through directors quickly. The job can burn you out. It can overwhelm you. Our director, here 41 years and — up until the last day — was here till 6 or 7 at night.” His commitment and dedication were always unwavering, and he amassed an impressive record of accomplishments in civil rights.

Homer continued to serve on many Boards and Commissions prior to and well beyond his retirement, holding the positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer and Member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies, member of the Samuel L. Abrams Foundation Board, the Pennsylvania Housing Advisory Committee, U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Standing Committee, past Chair of the Central Pennsylvania Advisory Board to the United Negro College Fund, past President of the Boys' Club of Harrisburg, former member of the Board of Directors of the Tri-County United Way, Board of Directors of the Harrisburg Area YMCA, a life member and former Polemarch of the Harrisburg Alumni Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, life member of the NAACP, member of the National Association of Human Rights Workers, life member of the Kansas University Alumni Association, former member of the Board of Directors of the Tri-County Volunteer Action Center, former President of the Susquehanna Township Midget Basketball Association, member of the Harrisburg Chapter of the National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, and member of AARP. He has served on the Governor's Affirmative Action Council, the Governor's Housing Task Force, and the Susquehanna Manpower Development Corporation, only to name a few. Homer never said “NO” when called upon to continue his mission of assuring equal opportunities for all.

Homer graduated from Washington High School (Massillon, Ohio) and held a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kansas with additional work at Fisk University (Nashville, Tennessee) and Washburn University (Topeka, Kansas). Homer was a star football player, earning “All-State Ohio” honors in his senior year of high school and “All-Big 8” honors in his senior year of college. He was a professional football player with the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League, and after one year, he signed with the Cleveland Browns for a brief stay. Homer fondly recollected on this time and stated, “those boys were big and tough, I knew I had to do something else with my life”, and that he did.

Alongside his many accolades and achievements, Homer exhibited a strong commitment to ongoing learning and enjoyed sharing his life experiences, both positive and negative. He enjoyed having “family-friendly” political debates and typically won, because as he said, “I was there”. No one could ever top that. Homer challenged you to think and ponder life situations and was always available to offer guidance and support when you needed it most. Never pushing his opinions, he always left you “believing” you figured it out on your own. He loved tasty food, travelling, and spending holidays and special occasions with his family, and could be found watching a good rivalry football or basketball game whenever possible.

Homer leaves to cherish and honor his memory his three children, JC Floyd, Cheryl L. Floyd-Brown, and Damon B. Floyd; his three grandchildren Jasmyn R., Jordan C., and Jayson B. Floyd; his companion Venease A. Manior-Jones; his son-in-law Charles E. Brown and daughter-in-law Shelley D. Askew-Floyd, and many dear family, friends, and colleagues.

Services held privately.

Please continue to keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.